Extremely Intoxicated Woman Crashes and Falls Asleep at the Wheel

Around 12:50 AM on March 4, 2026, Sergeant William Weischedel and Patrolman Peter Krowiak with the Rockaway Borough Police Department were dispatched to the scene of a motor vehicle crash on Route 46 in the area of Woodstone Road and Rockwood Drive. They arrived on scene and noticed that a blue 2016 Toyota Rav4 had struck a guardrail on the eastbound side of Route 46. Sergeant Weischedel approached the vehicle from the driver side and noticed that the driver was asleep at the wheel. Both officers eventually awakened the driver and made contact with her, and she was identified as Frumencia Flores-Banda.

As he was speaking with her, Sergeant Weischedel detected the odor of alcohol and observed indicators of impairment. Frumencia admitted to consuming 2 drinks earlier that evening. Based on his suspicion of impairment, Frumencia was asked to perform field sobriety exercises. Her poor performance on the field sobriety exercises confirmed his suspicions of impairment, and he placed her under arrest for operating under the influence. Her vehicle was impounded by McCarter's Towing for a mandatory 12-hour hold under John's Law.

Sergeant Weischedel transported Frumencia to the Rockaway Borough Police Department for further processing. At the station, the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators was read to her, and she initially agreed to submit breath samples. However, she later vomited on the processing room floor and refused to submit breath samples, so she was also charged with a refusal. After the officers finished processing her, she was released to Jose Morales pending her court appearance after he signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Frumencia's behalf.

Sergeant Weischedel issued Frumencia the following citations:

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

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

-Reckless driving (39:4-96)

-Careless driving (39:4-97)

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

-Failure to keep right (39:4-82)

On June 24, 2026, Frumencia was found guilty of operating under the influence, while also being found not guilty of consent to take samples of breath. As a result of her conviction, Frumencia had to use an ignition interlock device for 4 years, spend 48 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, perform 30 days of community service, serve 2 days in jail, and pay a total of $390 in fines. The other 4 citations were dismissed.

Frumencia has previously been arrested for driving while intoxicated in Rockaway Township, New Jersey on September 13, 2020.

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