Extremely Intoxicated Woman Knocks her Cousin Unconscious Before DWI Arrest

Around 12:21 AM on February 22, 2023, Officers Brandon Goez, Anthony Roman, and Domenic Pizzanelli with the River Edge Police Department responded a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a 2007 BMW 530 on Kinderkamack Road near the intersection with Main Street. When they first arrived on scene, they noticed that the BMW had sustained severe damages, a tree as well as a utility pole had been downed, and there was airbag deployment inside the vehicle. Officer Roman approached the driver while Officer Goez approached the passenger.

The driver, identified as 20-year-old Evelyn, was conscious but in an apparent state of impairment. Her passenger was initially unconscious. The officers immediately called for first responders as well as the Fire Department to arrive on scene. When Evelyn was asked to explain what happened, she admitted that she was drunk.

Since she felt cold, she was escorted to a patrol car where she was able to sit down while first responders evaluated her. Evelyn’s passenger was placed on a stretcher and taken by ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center. Evelyn was placed under arrest, escorted over to the ambulance rig, and transported to the same hospital for further evaluation.

Evelyn’s vehicle was removed from the scene under John’s Law by Hackensack Auto Body and Towing. PSE&G was called to the scene to address the downed utility pole. The River Edge Department of Public Works (DPW) removed the tree and cleaned the area. A search of her vehicle yielded an open container.

At the hospital, Evelyn consented to a blood draw. The analysis of the blood sample later revealed a BAC level of 0.200% (g/100ml), which was more than double the legal limit of 0.08%. Evelyn was issued the following citations: Operating under the influence, operating under the influence underage, reckless driving, careless driving, and open container

Court records indicate that on July 11, 2023, Evelyn was found guilty of operating under the influence and careless driving. As a result of being found guilty, she had to use an ignition interlock device for 7 months, spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, and pay a total of $830 in fines. The other 3 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

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