Drunk 21-Year-Old Sprays Perfume on Herself During DWI Stop in Wildwood Crest, NJ

Around 11:44 PM on May 28, 2023, SLEO II Robert Francis Ferguson with the Wildwood Crest Police Department observed a black 2021 Honda Civic fail to stop or yield at the intersection of Lotus and New Jersey Avenue while going westbound. He activated his emergency lights and closed the gap with the vehicle before initiating a traffic stop on the 100 west block of Lotus Avenue. After she pulled over, SLEO II Ferguson approached the vehicle to make contact with the driver, who was identified as 21-year-old Katherin. As he was approaching the vehicle, he observed Katherin spray perfume on herself, apparently in an attempt to mask the odor of alcohol.

Katherin was asked for her documents, and her hand movements seemed to be slow as she searched for them. As SLEO II Ferguson was speaking with her, he detected the odor of alcohol. Katherin admitted to consuming alcohol earlier that evening at Keenan’s. As he returned to his patrol car to check her documents, Officer Tyler Lavender arrived on scene to assist. Based on his suspicion of impairment, SLEO II Ferguson asked Katherin to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises.

Sergeant Ryan Sheets arrived on scene to administer the field sobriety exercises. The first exercise was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. During the HGN test, Sergeant Sheets observed the lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, and the onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. The second exercise was the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Katherin failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step and turned improperly. The final exercise was the One Leg Stand test, and Katherin failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion and raised her arms for balance.

Based on her traffic infraction, her admission to consuming alcohol before operating a motor vehicle, and her inability to adequately complete the field sobriety exercises, SLEO II Ferguson placed Katherin under arrest for driving under the influence. Her vehicle was impounded for a mandatory 12-hour hold under Law. She was transported by SLEO II Ferguson to the Wildwood Crest Police Department for further processing.

At police HQ, Katherin was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators and agreed to submit breath samples for testing. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC of 0.14%, which was almost double the legal limit of 0.08%. After they were finished with processing her, Katherin was eventually released to a sober adult after he signed the Potential Liability Warning Form on her behalf. She was issued the following summonses: Operating under the influence and failure to stop or yield.

Court records indicate that on August 1, 2023, Katherin was found guilty of operating under the influence. As a result of being found guilty, Katherin was required to spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, use an ignition interlock device for 7 months, and pay a total of $690 in fines. The other citation was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

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