Drunk Woman Unable to Count Before DWI Arrest

Around 9:18 PM on December 13, 2025, Patrolman Matthew Golembieski with the Monmouth Beach Police Department observed a blue 2015 Ford Edge swerving on Ocean Avenue as the driver headed southbound. He made a U-turn and began following the vehicle, and he observed the driver continue to swerve. Patrolman Golembieski eventually activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, and the driver pulled over at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Church Street in the neighboring town of Long Branch. He exited his patrol car and made contact with the driver, who was identified as Stephanie Tjarks.

As he was speaking with Stephanie and her passenger, he detected the odor of alcohol and observed other indicators of impairment. Stephanie told the officer that they were coming from Val’s Tavern in Sea Bright, even though Val’s Tavern happens to be in Rumson. She admitted to consuming 2 glasses of wine earlier that evening. Based on his suspicion of impairment, Stephanie was eventually 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 Golembieski 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 Lack of Convergence test. The third exercise was the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Stephanie failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step, failed to count aloud despite being reminded numerous times, took an incorrect number of steps, and turned improperly. The fourth exercise was the One Leg Stand test. During the One Leg Stand test, Stephanie failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion and put her foot down before the test was complete. The final exercise was the Modified Romberg Balance test. Stephanie estimated the passage of 30 seconds after only 17 seconds.

Based on her erratic driving, her lack of coherence, her admission to consuming alcohol earlier that evening, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Stephanie was placed under arrest for DWI. Her vehicle was impounded for a 12-hour hold according to John’s Law, while Patrolman Golembieski transported Stephanie to the Monmouth Beach Police Department for further processing.

At the station, the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators was read to her, and she agreed to submit breath samples. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC level of 0.127%, which was above the legal limit of 0.08%. After they finished processing Stephanie, she was released to a sober adult pending her court appearance after she signed the Potential Liability Warning on Stephanie’s behalf.

Patrolman Golembieski issued Stephanie the following traffic tickets:

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

-Reckless driving (39:4-96)

-Careless driving (39:4-97)

-Traffic on marked lanes – unsafe lane change (39:4-88B)

As of February 17, 2026, Stephanie’s case is still pending before the Monmouth Beach Municipal Court.

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