Drunk Server With Multiple Open Containers Arrested for DWI at DOUBLE the Legal Limit

Around 3:54 AM on June 11, 2023, Patrolman Dominick Van De Brook with the Ocean Township Police Department observed a black 2015 Nissan Altima driving in an erratic manner on Route 9 North in Waretown, New Jersey. He activated his emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop in front of Waretown Plaza at 529 Route 9 North. After she pulled over, Patrolman Van De Brook approached the vehicle to make contact with the driver, who was identified as 21-year-old Maricruz. Patrolman Russell Moller also arrived on scene to assist with the traffic stop.

Maricruz was asked for her documents, and Patrolman Van De Brook observed indicators of impairment. Maricruz told the officer that she had left work as a server at Dolce Liberta in Manahawkin, New Jersey and that she was headed home. He asked her how much she had to drink, and she admitted to consuming a few drinks earlier that evening. Based on his suspicion of impairment, Patrolman Van De Brook asked Maricruz to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises.

The first exercise was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. The second exercise was the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Maricruz failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step, turned improperly, and took an incorrect number of steps. The final exercise was the One Leg Stand test, and Maricruz failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion and raised her arms for balance.

Based on her erratic driving, her admission to consuming alcohol before operating a motor vehicle, and her inability to adequately complete the field sobriety exercises, Patrolman Van De Brook placed Maricruz under arrest for driving under the influence. A search of her vehicle incident to arrest revealed multiple open containers. Her vehicle was impounded for a mandatory 12-hour hold under Law. She was transported by Patrolman Van De Brook to the Ocean Township Police Department for further processing.

At police HQ, Maricruz was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators and agreed to submit breath samples for testing. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC of 0.16%, which was double the legal limit of 0.08%. After they were finished with processing her, Maricruz was eventually released to a sober adult after they signed the Potential Liability Warning Form on her behalf. She was issued the following summonses: Operating under the influence, reckless driving, traffic on marked lanes, and open container

Court records indicate that Maricruz was later arrested again for a second DWI in Berkeley Township, New Jersey on February 8, 2024.

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