Rude Woman Arrested for SECOND DWI in Ocean City, NJ

Previous Arrest for DWI

Around 10:19 PM on October 25, 2024, Patrolman Paul Stryker with the Ocean City Police Department observed a white 2016 Jeep drive eastbound and exit Route 52 into Ocean City. As the driver exited Route 52, the vehicle entered the left turn lane near 9th Street and Bay Avenue, and the vehicle initially remained stopped in the turning lane despite having a green signal. He made a U-turn and began following the vehicle as the driver headed westbound on Ocean City Boulevard. After a vehicle behind the Jeep sounded the horn, the driver turned slowly onto the 800 block of Bay Avenue.

As Patrolman Stryker began to turn onto Bay Avenue, he was briefly flagged down by the driver of the other vehicle, and they told him that the white Jeep was going all over the roadway on Route 52. Patrolman Stryker began following the Jeep and observed the vehicle swerving. The driver continued driving erratically until Patrolman Stryker eventually initiated a traffic stop in the area of 6th Street and Simpson Avenue. Patrolman Stryker made contact with the driver, and she was identified as Valerie.

As he was speaking with Valerie, he detected the odor of alcohol and observed other indicators of impairment. Valerie refused to tell him where she was coming from, and she was unable to provide all the required documentation. After Patrolman Rauner arrived on scene, Valerie was asked to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises. After initially hesitating, Valerie eventually agreed to perform field sobriety exercises.

Patrolman Stryker started with the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, and he 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, and Valerie did not touch heel-to-toe on each step while taking an incorrect number of steps and failing to turn. The final exercise was the One Leg Stand Test, but Valerie ultimately refused to perform this test.

Based on her erratic driving, the odor of alcohol, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Valerie was placed under arrest. Her vehicle was impounded for a 12-hour hold according to John’s Law. Patrolman Stryker initially transported Valerie to the Ocean City Police Department for further processing. Since their Alcotest machine was not working, she had to be transported to the Somers Point Police Department. While she agreed to submit breath samples in Somers Point, she ultimately refused to submit adequate breath samples despite multiple attempts and she was charged with a refusal.

Valerie was then transported back to the Ocean City Police Department so they could finish their paperwork. After they were finished processing Valerie, Valerie was placed in a cell until Sergeant Varnold decided she could be released on her own recognizance around 6:30 AM. Patrolman Stryker issued Valerie the following citations: Operating under the influence, refusal to submit to chemical test, reckless driving, traffic on marked lanes, delaying traffic, failure to possess driver license, and failure to possess driver registration

On December 12, 2024, Valerie was found guilty of operating under the influence in the Ocean City Municipal Court. As a result of being found guilty, Valerie had to spend 2 days in jail, spend 48 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, perform 30 days of community service, and pay a total of $890 in fines. The other 6 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

On May 29, 2023, Valerie had previously been arrested for DWI in Avalon, New Jersey.

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