Drunk Pep Boys Manager Arrested for DWI at ALMOST DOUBLE the Limit

Around 3:33 AM on April 18, 2025, Patrolman Nicholas Camarda with the Spotswood Police Department was dispatched to 46 Brockwood Road on a report of a female who was slumped over inside a blue vehicle. He arrived on scene and noticed that a female was asleep behind the wheel of a blue 2006 Honda, and she awakened immediately after he knocked on the window. The female, later identified as Laura Baszak, immediately exited the vehicle after she was awakened.

Immediately after she opened the door to her vehicle, Patrolman Camarda detected the odor of alcohol and observed other indicators of impairment. When he Laura if she knew where she was, she claimed that she was in Matawan. She later told the officer that she was coming Ryan’s Pub and Sports Bar in neighboring Monroe Township and heading back home before she pulled over on a side street. She also admitted to consuming a few drinks earlier that evening. Based on his suspicion of impairment, Laura was eventually asked to perform field sobriety exercises after Patrolman Campbell arrived on scene to assist.

Patrolman Camarda started with the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. During the HGN test, Patrolman Camarda 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 nystagmus. The second exercise was the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Laura failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step, took an incorrect number of steps, and turned improperly. The final exercise was the One Leg Stand test. During the One Leg Stand test, Laura failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion and put her foot down before the test was complete.

Based on her indicators of impairment, the odor of alcohol, her admission to consuming alcohol earlier that evening, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Patrolman Camarda placed Laura under arrest for driving under the influence. Her vehicle was impounded for a mandatory 12-hour hold under John’s Law. Laura was transported to the Spotswood Police Department for further processing.

At the Spotswood Police Department, Laura was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators, and she agreed to submit breath samples. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC level of 0.149%, which was nearly double the legal limit of 0.08%. After they finished processing her, Laura was eventually released to her father pending her court appearance after he signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Laura’s behalf.

Patrolman Camarda issued Laura the following traffic citations:

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

-Reckless driving (39:4-96)

-Careless driving (39:4-97)

-Open container (39:4-51B)

Court records indicate that on June 9, 2026, Laura was found guilty of operating under the influence. As a result of her conviction, Laura had to use an ignition interlock device for 90 days, spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, and pay a total of $408 in fines. The other 3 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Laura’s prior arrests include the following:

-Theft by unlawful taking (2C:20-3A) in Middletown Township, New Jersey on February 15, 2022

-Possession (2C:36-2) in Hazlet Township, New Jersey on February 27, 2020

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