Fireman's Daughter Busted for DWI Immediately After Leaving the Bar

Around 2:34 AM on January 18, 2025, Sergeant Edward Bartlett with the Pompton Lakes Police Department was on patrol and he observed a grey 2016 Nissan exit from the parking lot of Thatcher McGhee’s (6 Wanaque Avenue) onto Ringwood Avenue northbound. The driver made a wide turn into the southbound lane of traffic and nearly collided head-on with a southbound vehicle. As the driver headed north on Ringwood Avenue, he activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop. The driver pulled over on Ringwood Avenue in the vicinity of Carr Street.

He exited his patrol car and made contact with the driver, who was identified as 25-year-old Erin Lime. As Sergeant Bartlett was speaking with Erin, he detected the odor of alcohol and observed other indicators of impairment. Patrolman Hector Alcantara was called to the scene to assist shortly afterwards. She admitted to Sergeant Bartlett that she consumed alcohol at Thatcher’s earlier that evening.

Based on his suspicion of impairment, he asked her to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises. The final exercise was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. During the HGN test, Sergeant Bartlett 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, Erin failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step and turned improperly. The final exercise was the One Leg Stand test. During the One Leg Stand test, Erin failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion while putting her foot down before the test was complete.

Based on her erratic driving, the odor of alcohol, her admission to consuming alcohol earlier that evening, and her inability to satisfactorily perform the field sobriety exercises, Erin was placed under arrest for operating under the influence. Erin was transported to the Pompton Lakes Police Department for further processing. Erin’s vehicle was impounded for a 12-hour hold according to John’s Law.

At the station, Erin was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators, and agreed to submit breath samples. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC level of 0.20%, which was more than double the legal limit of 0.08%. After the Alcotest was complete, she was eventually released to her mother pending her court appearance after she signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Erin’s behalf.

Erin was issued the following traffic tickets:

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

-Reckless driving (39:4-96)

-Careless driving (39:3-97)

-Failure to maintain lane (39:4-88B)

Court records indicate that on June 19, 2025, Erin pleaded guilty to operating under the influence. As a result of her guilty plea, Erin had to use an ignition interlock device for 9 months, spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, and pay a total of $690 in fines. The other 3 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

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