Man Arrested for DWI After Driving the Wrong-Way and LYING to Cops

Around 8:31 PM on November 10, 2024, Officer Dylan Archilla with the Hoboken Police Department observed a Cadillac tailgating another vehicle near the intersection of Second Street and Madison Street. The driver then turned northbound onto Monroe Street, which is a one-way southbound street. He initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who was identified as 23-year-old Thomas Starkey.

As he was speaking with Thomas, Officer Archilla detected the odor of alcohol. He asked him where he was coming from, and he initially claimed that he was coming from his friend’s place. However, he would later admit to coming from Texas Arizona. He denied having anything to drink and even claimed that his cousin was a State Trooper. However, Officer Archilla noticed that he was exhibiting clear indicators of impairment. Based on his suspicions of impairment, Thomas was asked to perform field sobriety exercises. His poor performance on the field sobriety exercises eventually confirmed Officer Archilla's suspicion of impairment.

Based on his traffic infractions, his slurred speech, the odor of alcohol, and his inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Thomas was placed under arrest for driving under the influence. Her vehicle was impounded for a 12-hour hold according to John’s Law. Officer Archilla transported Thomas to the Hoboken Police Department for further processing.

Thomas was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators at the station, but he refused to submit breath samples. Thomas was eventually released to a sober adult pending his court appearance after they signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Thomas’s behalf.

Thomas was issued the following citations:

-Operating under the influence

-Consent to take samples of breath

-Disregarding a stop sign

Court records indicate that on February 11, 2025, Thomas was found guilty of operating under the influence and disregarding a stop sign. As a result of being found guilty, Thomas had to use an ignition interlock device for 3 months, spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, and pay a total of $780 in fines. The other for consent to take samples was dismissed.

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