Drunk Woman CRASHES in Front of a Cop and Tries to Flee

Around 10:34 PM on September 1, 2022, Patrolman Matthew Bast with the Lambertville Police Department was on patrol and he observed a blue 2020 Honda Civic turn onto Mount Hope Street with no headlights or tail lights. He then observed the Honda strike a parked 2005 Saab 9-3 and clip the driver side mirror before failing to stop at the scene of an accident. The driver proceeded to make a right turn onto Route 29 southbound after failing to stop at a stop sign. Based on his observations, he initiated a traffic stop and the driver pulled over on Route 29.

The driver of the vehicle was soon identified as Kathryn Patten. She asked if she had clipped the other car’s mirror. As Patrolman Bast was speaking with Kathryn, he observed indicators of impairment. Patrolman Kevin Bereheiko arrived on scene to assist shortly afterwards. She admitted to the officers that she was coming from a bar in New Hope, Pennsylvania. She also admitted to consuming 2 drinks earlier that evening.

Based on his suspicion of impairment, he asked her to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises. He started by asking her to recite the alphabet from “A” to “Z” without singing it, which she did. The second exercise was the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Kathryn failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step while turning improperly. The third exercise was the One Leg Stand test. During the One Leg Stand test, Kathryn failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion while putting her foot down before the test was complete. The final exercise was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, where he observed indicators of impairment.

Based on the motor vehicle accident, her admission to consuming alcohol earlier that evening, and her inability to satisfactorily perform the field sobriety exercises, Kathryn was placed under arrest for operating under the influence. Around this time, her friend arrived on scene and was allowed to briefly comfort her before she was transported to the Lambertville Police Department for further processing. Her vehicle was impounded for a 12-hour hold according to John’s Law.

After getting her pedigree information at headquarters and getting in touch with their matron, Kathryn was transported to HCSO in Flemington for the administration of the breathalyzer. At HCSO, Kathryn was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators, and agreed to submit breath samples. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC level of 0.14%, which was nearly double the legal limit of 0.08%. After the Alcotest was complete, she admitted to drinking at John & Peter’s Bar as well as Havana Bar earlier that evening in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

After the paperwork was complete, she was eventually transported back to the Lambertville Police Department. She was released to a sober pending her court appearance after she signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Kathryn’s behalf.

Kathryn was issued the following traffic tickets:

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

-Careless driving (39:4-97)

-Disregarding a stop sign (39:4-144)

-Failure to use lighted lamps when required (39:3-47A)

Court records indicate that on January 11, 2023, Kathryn was found guilty of operating under the influence. As a result, Kathryn 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. The other 3 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Kathryn was later arrested again on allegations of theft and criminal mischief in Lambertville on June 6, 2025 for her alleged actions on April 18, 2025. As of August 5, 2025, that particular case is still pending in court.

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