Dancer Goes Bar Hopping and Gets Arrested for DWI

Around 2:25 AM on February 28, 2025, Officer Trey Wilson with the Highland Park Police Department observed a black 2020 Toyota pickup truck run a red light while headed eastbound at the intersection of Raritan Avenue and River Road. He followed the vehicle and eventually initiated a traffic stop on Raritan Avenue near the intersection of South 2nd Avenue. He exited his patrol car and made contact with the driver, who was identified as Melissa Hernandez.

As he was speaking with Melissa, he detected the odor of alcohol and observed other indicators of impairment. Melissa told the officer that she was coming from Esquina Latina Restaurant & Lounge, a restaurant in New Brunswick. She admitted to consuming 3 drinks at 2 different bars earlier that evening. Based on his suspicion of impairment, Melissa was eventually asked to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises after Officer Alexander Triana arrived on scene to assist.

Melissa’s poor performance on the field sobriety exercises confirmed the officers’ suspicion of impairment. Based on her traffic infraction, the odor of alcohol, her admission to consuming alcohol earlier that evening, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Officer Wilson placed Melissa under arrest for driving under the influence. Her vehicle was impounded for a mandatory 12-hour hold under John’s Law. Melissa was initially transported to the Highland Park Police Department (RUPD) for the administration of the breath test.

At the Highland Park Police Department, Melissa was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators, and she agreed to submit breath samples. However, the Alcotest machine was not working in Highland Park so she had to be transported to the Rutgers University Police Department for the administration of the breath test. After the breath test was finished, Melissa was then transported back to the Highland Park Police Department for further processing. She was eventually released to Brianna Solano pending her court appearance after she signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Melissa’s behalf.

Officer Wilson issued Melissa the following traffic citations:

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

-Reckless driving (39:4-96)

-Failure to observe traffic control device (39:4-81)

-Traffic on marked lanes (39:4-88)

On March 17, 2026, Melissa pleaded guilty to operating under the influence, while the other 3 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. As a result of her guilty plea, Melissa had to use an ignition interlock device for 3 months and spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center. Melissa also had to pay a total of $383 in fines.

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