19-Year-Old Girl Arrested for DWI After Getting Stoned in Stone Harbor

Around 6:05 PM on November 11, 2023, Officer Keith Santini with the Stone Harbor Police Department observed that a 2015 Toyota Scion had been parked for about 15 minutes in a no parking zone on the beach block of 104th street. As he approached the vehicle to investigate further, he detected the odor of burnt cannabis. There were 2 females inside the vehicle, and the one in the driver seat was identified as 19-year-old Tara. Tara admitted to smoking inside her vehicle.

Shortly after Sergeant Robert Walker arrived on scene to assist, Tara was asked to recite part of the alphabet and count backwards. She was initially unable to follow instructions when reciting the alphabet. After Officer Santini made a phone call, it was determined that Tara would be asked to perform field sobriety exercises since she was exhibiting indicators of impairment.

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

Based on the odor of burnt cannabis, her admission to smoking, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Officer Santini placed Tara under arrest for driving under the influence. Her vehicle was impounded for a 12-hour hold according to John’s Law. Officer Santini transported Tara to the Stone Harbor Police Department for further processing.

Tara was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators at the station, and she agreed to submit breath samples. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC level of 0.00%. While she was not under the influence of alcohol, she admitted to smoking and the officers decided to transport her to Cape Regional Medical Center for a blood draw. The results of the blood draw later confirmed the presence of Amphetamine, Alprazolam, THC, and THC-COOH in her system. Tara was eventually released pending her court appearance.

Officer Santini issued Tara the following citations:

-Operating under the influence (39:4-50)

-Parking within 25 feet of a sea wall (Ordinance 520-11B)

Court records indicate that on July 1, 2024, the charge of operating under the influence was downgraded to reckless driving (39:4-96). As a result of being found guilty of reckless driving, Tara’s license was revoked for 45 days and she had to pay a total of $240 in fines. The other citation for parking within 25 feet of a sea wall was dismissed.

Tara had previously been arrested in Cape May, New Jersey on October 12, 2023 for allegedly receiving stolen property (2C:20-7A)

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