Drunk Girl Eludes Cops for 20 Minutes

Around 1:50 AM on February 28, 2025, Patrolman Kenneth Fowlkes with the Voorhees Township Police Department observed a silver 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan that was driving westbound on White Horse Road at a high rate of speed. He followed the vehicle and saw the driver run red lights at the intersection of White Horse Road and Executive Drive, as well as White Horse Road and Echelon Road. He activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic sto, and the driver pulled over in the parking lot across from the Wawa Convenience Store located at 1702 Burnt Mill Road. Upon calling out the traffic stop, Camden County Central Communications informed him that this vehicle had also eluded Magnolia PD approximately 20 minutes earlier and that Magnolia PD would be responding to assist.

He exited his patrol car and made contact with the driver, who was identified as Markia Sykes. As he was speaking with Markia, he detected the odor of alcohol and observed other indicators of impairment. Markia told the officer that she was coming from P.J. Whelihan's Pub + Restaurant, a pub in Cherry Hill. She later admitted to consuming 2 drinks earlier that evening. Based on his suspicion of impairment, Markia was eventually asked to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises.

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

At the Magnolia Police Department, Markia was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators, and she initially agreed to submit breath samples. However, she failed to submit adequate breath samples so she was ultimately charged with a refusal. After the breath test was finished, Markia was then transported to the Voorhees Township Police Department for further processing. She was eventually released to her boyfriend Elijah Johnson pending her court appearance after he signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Markia’s behalf.

Patrolman Fowlkes issued Markia the following traffic citations:

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

-Consent to take samples of breath (39:4-50.2)

-Careless driving (39:4-96)

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

On May 5, 2025, Markia was found guilty of operating under the influence, while the other 3 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. As a result of her guilty plea, Markia had to use an ignition interlock device for 3 months and spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center. Markia also had to pay a total of $640 in fines.

She was also criminally charged with eluding (2C:29-2B) by Patrolman Jacob Paris with the Magnolia Police Department, and that criminal charge remains pending in court as of June 3, 2026. He also issued her a bunch of traffic citations, but they were dismissed on May 15, 2025.

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