Mom of 5 Gets Drunk at Galentine's Celebration

Around 1:46 AM on February 9, 2025, Patrolman Dylan Guengert with the Medford Township Police Department observed a blue 2021 Honda Pilot speeding about 60 MPH in a 30 MPH zone in the area of Taunton Boulevard and Park Road. He began pursuing the vehicle and closed the gap as the vehicle continued northbound past the intersection with Tuckerton Road. He eventually activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, and the driver pulled over in the area of Taunton Road and North Middlegate Drive. Patrolman Guengert exited his patrol car and initiated contact with the driver of the Honda, who was identified as Laurel Flipping.

As he was speaking with Laurel, Patrolman Guengert detected the odor of alcohol and observed other indicators of impairment. Laurel later told him that she was heading home after coming from a Galentine’s celebration with her girlfriends. She admitted to consuming 2 White Claws earlier that evening. Based on his suspicion of impairment, Laurel was asked to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises after Patrolman Timothy Shockley arrived on scene to assist.

Patrolman Shockley started with the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. During the HGN test, Patrolman Shockley observed the lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, and the onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. He also observed vertical gaze nystagmus. The second exercise was the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Laurel did not touch heel-to-toe on each step, turned improperly, and took an incorrect number of steps. The third exercise was the One Leg Stand test, and Laurel failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion and put her foot down before the test was complete. The fourth exercise was the recitation of the alphabet. The final exercise was the Modified Romberg Balance test. During this exercise, she estimated the passage of 30 seconds over 17 seconds.

Based on her erratic driving, the odor of alcohol, her admission to consuming alcohol, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Laurel was placed under arrest for driving under the influence. Patrolman Guengert located an open container of White Claw inside her vehicle after conducting a search incident to arrest. After she was placed under arrest and placed in the patrol car, her vehicle was impounded for a 12-hour hold under John’s Law. Patrolman Guengert transported Laurel to the Medford Township Police Department for further processing.

At the station, the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators was read to her, and Laurel agreed to submit breath samples for testing. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC level of 0.13%, which was above the legal limit of 0.08%. After the officers finished processing her, she was released to her husband pending her court appearance after he signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Laurel’s behalf.

She was issued the following citations:

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

-Reckless driving (39:4-96)

-Speeding (39:4-98)

-Open container (39:4-51B)

-Consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle (39:4-51A)

Court records indicate that on May 1, 2025, Laurel pleaded guilty to operating under the influence. As a result of her conviction, she had to use an ignition interlock device for 3 months, spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, and pay a total of $383 in fines. The other 4 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

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