Woman Arrested for DWI After Breast Cancer Awareness Event

Around 11:21 PM on October 13, 2023, Patrolman Vincent Fischer with the Denville Township Police Department observed a 2010 Chrysler driving without headlights on Route 53. He activated his emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop on Parks Road. He made contact with the driver, who was identified as Camila. As he was speaking with Camila, he detected the odor of alcohol and asked Camila how much she had to drink. Camila’s passenger admitted that they had consumed alcohol, but Camila denied having anything to drink. Based on his suspicion of impairment, she was asked to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises.

The first exercise was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. During the HGN test, Patrolman Fischer 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, Camila failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step, took an incorrect number of steps, and failed to count aloud. The third exercise was the One Leg Stand test, and Camila failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion while not counting in the correct sequence. The final exercise was the Romberg test, and Camila opened her eyes in the middle of the test.

Based on her traffic infraction, the odor of alcohol, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Patrolman Fischer placed Camila under arrest for driving under the influence. After placing her in the patrol car, Camila’s friend told Patrolman Fischer that they were coming from Pink Witches Night Out, a breast cancer awareness event. She also told the officer that each of them had consumed 4 drinks earlier that evening. Sergeant Scott Tobin remained on scene until the tow truck arrived, and Camila’s vehicle was impounded for a 12-hour hold according to John’s Law.

Camila was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators, and she agreed to submit breath samples. Since the Alcotest machine did not work initially, she had to be transported to the Parsippany Police Department where she submitted breath samples. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC level of 0.15%, which was nearly double the legal limit of 0.08%. She was transported back to the Denville Township Police Department and eventually released to a sober adult pending her court appearance after they signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Camila’s behalf. Patrolman Fischer issued Camila the following citations: Operating under the influence, reckless driving, careless driving, and failure to use lighted lamps.

Court records indicate that on January 25, 2024, Camila pleaded guilty to operating under the influence and failure to use lighted lamps. As a result of her guilty pleas, Camila had to use an ignition interlock device for 9 months, spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, and pay a total of $780 in fines. The other 2 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

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