2 Drunk Girlfriends Both Get Arrested for DWI

Around 7:55 AM on March 1, 2025, Patrolman Andrew Slota with the Lacey Township Police Department arrived on scene at the Wawa (800 Lacey Road) to assist Patrolman Kevin Tranz with a DWI investigation involving Amariah Keith. After he assisted with the field sobriety exercises and Amariah was placed under arrest for driving under the influence, her girlfriend Marissa Valdez arrived on scene and appeared distraught over Amariah’s arrest. The officers told Marissa that her girlfriend would be processed at the station and that she could meet her at the station once she was released.

The officers allowed Marissa to drive away, and she parked her vehicle in the parking lot of the police station nearby. Patrolman Slota remained at the scene along with Sergeant Michael Verwey as they were waiting for the tow truck. A few minutes later, Marissa walked over from the police station parking lot back to the Wawa and made contact with the officers again. As Sergeant Verwey was speaking with Marissa, he detected the odor of alcohol and suspected that she may be impaired as well. Patrolman Slota proceeded to administer the field sobriety exercises on Marissa.

The first field sobriety exercise was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. During the HGN test, Patrolman Slota 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, Marissa did not touch heel-to-toe on each step and raised her arms for balance. The final exercise was the One Leg Stand test. During the One Leg Stand test, Marissa failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion and put her foot down before the test was complete.

Based on the odor of alcohol, her admission to consuming alcohol earlier, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Marissa was placed under arrest for driving under the influence. Her vehicle was impounded for a 12-hour hold according to John’s Law. Patrolman Slota transported Marissa to the Lacey Township Police Department for further processing.

Marissa 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 0.285%, which was more than triple the legal limit of 0.08%. After the Alcotest was complete, she was released to her mother after she signed the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators on Marissa’s behalf.

Marissa was issued the following citations:

-Operating under the influence

-Reckless driving

Marissa was later arrested again for another DWI in Toms River, New Jersey on March 24, 2025. This was followed by yet another DWI arrest in Lacey Township, New Jersey on May 11, 2025.

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