Drunk Girl Almost Crashes Into a Cop Car After Getting Drunk at Johnnies

Around 2:07 AM on January 31, 2026, Sergeant Karl Mangino with the Boonton Police Department observed a white 2012 Kia Optima make a wide left turn from Boonton Avenue onto Birch Street. The driver continued driving east on Birch Street before nearly striking his patrol car head-on. However, the driver was able to stop before striking his patrol car. At this time, Sergeant Mangino initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who was identified as 25-year-old Kelly Stolarz-Chase.

Kelly initially hesitated when she was asked where she was coming from, before admitting to leaving Johnnies Tavern nearby. As he was speaking with her, Sergeant Mangino detected the odor of alcohol and observed other indicators of impairment. Kelly admitted to consuming 1 drink earlier that evening. Based on his suspicion of impairment, Kelly was asked to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises after additional officers arrived on scene to assist.

The first exercise was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. The second exercise was the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Kelly failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step and turned improperly. The third exercise was the One Leg Stand test. During the One Leg Stand test, Kelly 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 from “D” to “V,” and Kelly was unable to do so satisfactorily. The final exercise was counting backwards from “75” to “55,” and Kelly missed the number “66” while doing so.

Based on her erratic driving, her indicators of impairment, the odor of alcohol, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Kelly was placed under arrest for DWI. A search of her vehicle incident to arrest yielded an open container of vodka. Her vehicle was impounded for a 12-hour hold according to John’s Law. Officer Nicole Montemorano then transported Kelly to the Boonton Police Department for further processing.

At the station, the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators was read to her, but she refused to submit breath samples and she was charged with a refusal. After they finished processing her, Kelly was eventually released to a family member pending her court appearance after they signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Kelly’s behalf.

Sergeant Mangino issued Kelly the following citations:

-Operating under the influence (39:5-50)

-Refusal to submit to chemical test (39:4-50.4A)

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

-Reckless driving (39:4-96)

-Improper left turn (39:4-123B)

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

-Open container (39:4-51B)

On May 26, 2026, Kelly was found guilty of operating under the influence. As a result of her conviction, Kelly had to use an ignition interlock device for 3 months, spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, and pay a total of $890 in fines. The other 6 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

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