Drunk Woman Drives the Wrong-Way on the Highway at Almost DOUBLE the Limit

Around 2:56 AM on August 2, 2023, Officer Nicole Orbin with the East Windsor Police Department was on patrol in the vicinity of Route 33 and Milford Road. She observed a 2001 Toyota Camry facing in the wrong direction in the left lane of Route 33 West. Around this time, she notified dispatch of her location, activated her emergency lights, and conducted a motor vehicle stop. He began following vehicle, and the driver made a right turn onto Thomas Avenue and started driving the wrong-way on a one-way road. She exited her patrol car and made contact with the driver of the Toyota, who was identified as Shivaani.

Shivaani told Officer Orbin that she was headed back to Villanova University. As she was speaking with Shivaani, she noticed that she was unable to locate her driver’s license and she detected th odor of alcohol. She admitted to consuming 1 drink approximately 12 hours prior, but Officer Orbin called for another officer to arrive on scene because of her suspicion of impairment. After Sergeant McWhorter, Officer Hoffmann, and Officer Gebler arrived to assist, Shivaani was asked to perform field sobriety exercises.

Officer started with the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. During the HGN test, he observed 4/6 clues of impairment. The second exercise was the Walk and Turn test and it was administered by Officer Orbin. During the Walk and Turn test, Shivaani failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step, turned improperly, and used her arms for balance. The final exercise was the One Leg Stand test. During the One Leg Stand test, Shivaani failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion and used her arms for balance.

Based on her traffic infraction, the odor of alcohol, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Officer Orbin placed Shivaani under arrest for driving under the influence. After she was placed under arrest, her vehicle was impounded by for a mandatory 12-hour hold under John’s Law. Officer Orbin transported Shivaani to the East Windsor Police Department for further processing. Her dog was also transported to the station in a separate vehicle and secured in the sally port.

At the East Windsor Police Department, Shivaani was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators, and she agreed to submit breath samples. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC level of 0.15%, which was almost double the legal limit of 0.08%. When the officers were finished with processing her, Shivaani was released to her mother pending her court appearance after she signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Shivaani’s behalf. Shivaani was issued the following traffic citations: Operating under the influence, reckless driving, careless driving, and wrong way on a one-way street

Court records indicate that on November 27, 2023, Shivaani pleaded guilty to operating under the influence. As a result of being found guilty, Shivaani had to use an ignition interlock device for 7 months, spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, and pay a total of $740 in fines.

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