Drunk Woman Crashes Head-On and Injures 2 People Before DWI Arrest

Around 8:08 PM on February 25, 2024, Patrolman Chris Galloway with the Magnolia Police Department was dispatched to a report of a head-on motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Warwick Road and Atlantic Avenue. As he arrived on scene, he noticed that a 2012 Dodge Caravan had struck a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria head-on. It would later be determined that the driver of the Dodge Caravan struck the northbound Crown Victoria head-on as she was turning left onto Atlantic Avenue from the southbound lane of Warwick Road.

Patrolman Galloway initially made contact with the driver of the Dodge Caravan, who was identified as Jesse. Jesse was evaluated by first responders who believed that she had broken her wrist and encouraged her to go to the hospital. However, Jesse refused to go to the hospital. Patrolman Galloway noticed that there was an open Miller Lite container inside her vehicle and he observed indicators of impairment. Based on his suspicion of impairment, he asked Jesse to perform field sobriety exercises.

Patrolman Galloway started with the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. During the HGN test, Patrolman Galloway 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, Jesse failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step and turned improperly. The third exercise was the One Leg Stand test, and Jesse failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion and put her foot down before the test was complete.

Based on the head-on crash, the odor of alcohol, the open container of alcohol in her vehicle, her admission to consuming alcohol before driving, and her inability to adequately complete the field sobriety exercises, Patrolman Galloway placed Jesse under arrest for driving under the influence. The vehicle that she had been driving was impounded for a mandatory 12-hour hold under John’s Law. One of the occupants of the Crown Victoria complained of wrist pain while the other occupant complained of abdominal pain and right knee pain. Based on their injuries, they were transported to Jefferson Hospital for further evaluation. Patrolman Jeremy Hackney transported Jesse to the Magnolia Police Department for further processing.

At the Magnolia Police Department, Jesse was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators and agreed to submit breath samples for testing. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC of 0.21%, which was almost triple legal limit of 0.08%. Jesse was later released to a sober adult pending her court appearance after he signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Jesse’s behalf. Jesse was issued the following summonses: Operating under the influence, reckless driving, careless driving: operate motor vehicle causing property damage, open container, unlicensed driver, and failure to possess driver insurance card

Court records indicate that on April 9, 2024, Jesse was found guilty of operating under the influence as well as having an open container. As a result of being found guilty, Jesse had to use an ignition interlock device for 12 months, spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, and pay a total of $623 in fines. The other 4 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

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