Drunk Dietitian Arrested for DWI After Girls Night Out

Around 9:58 PM on August 4, 2024, Officer Anthony D’Angelo with the Hanover Township Police Department observed a silver 2012 Honda Accord speeding excessively on Route 10 westbound. He began following the vehicle and eventually activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, The driver pulled into the parking lot of the T-Mobile store at 1950 Route 10 in neighboring Morris Plains. He made contact with the driver of the Honda, who was later identified as Natalie Barbaro.

Natalie said that she was coming from Barka in Denville, but she denied consuming any alcohol earlier that evening. As he was speaking with Natalie, he detected the odor of alcohol and observed other indicators of impairment. She denied consuming any alcohol earlier that evening, but she was asked to perform field sobriety exercises because he suspected that she may be impaired.

The first exercise was the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Natalie failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step and turned improperly. The second exercise was the One Leg Stand test. During the One Leg Stand test, Natalie failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion and did not count in the correct sequence. Sergeant Paul Gundersdorf then administered the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. During the HGN test, Sergeant Gundersdorf observed 6/6 indicators of impairment.

Based on her indicators of impairment, the odor of alcohol, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Natalie was placed under arrest for DWI. Her vehicle was impounded for a 12-hour hold according to John’s Law. The Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators was read to her in the parking lot, and she agreed to submit breath samples.

Officer D’Angelo then transported Natalie to the nearby Florham Park Police Department for the administration of the breath test. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC level of 0.14%, which was above the legal limit of 0.08%. Natalie was then transported to the Hanover Township Police Department for further processing. After they finished processing her, Natalie was released to her husband pending her court appearance after he signed the Potential Liability Warning form on her behalf.

Officer D'Angelo issued her the following citations:

-Operating under the influence

-Reckless driving

-Careless driving

-Failure to keep right (39:4-88A)

-Unsafe lane change (39:4-88B)

-Failure to give proper signal (39:4-126)

On November 11, 2024, Natalie pleaded guilty to operating under the influence. As a result of her conviction, Natalie had to spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, use an ignition interlock device for 3 months, and pay a total of $640 in fines. The other 5 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

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