Drunk Woman Thinks She’s Good to Drive at Almost DOUBLE the Limit

Around 4:13 AM on August 24, 2025, Officer Trey Wilson with the Highland Park Police Department observed a red 2008 Dodge Caliber being driven eastbound on Raritan Avenue without its headlights on. He activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, and the driver pulled over on Raritan Avenue near the intersection with South 4th Avenue. He exited his patrol car and made contact with the driver, who was eventually identified as Magdalena Ortiz-Lopez.

As he was speaking with Magdalena, he detected the odor of alcohol and observed other indicators of impairment. Magdalena told the officer that she was coming from a friend’s house in New Brunswick and admitted to consuming a few beers earlier that evening. Based on his suspicion of impairment, Magdalena was asked to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises after Officer Claribel Peralta arrived on scene to assist.

Magdalena’s poor performance on the field sobriety exercises confirmed Officer Wilson’s suspicion of impairment. Based on her traffic infractions, the odor of alcohol, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Officer Wilson placed Magdalena under arrest for driving under the influence. Her vehicle was impounded for a mandatory 12-hour hold under John’s Law. Officer Wilson transported Magdalena to the Highland Park Police Department for further processing.

At the Highland Park Police Department, Magdalena was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators, and agreed to submit breath samples. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC level of 0.146%, which was almost double the legal limit of 0.08%. When the officers were finished with processing her, Magdalena was released to her brother Octavio Ortiz-Lopez around 6:27 AM after he signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Magdalena’s behalf.

Officer Wilson issued Magdalena the following traffic citations:

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

-Reckless driving (39:4-96)

-Failure to use lighted lamps when required (39:3-47A)

On December 16, 2026, Magdalena was found guilty of operating under the influence. As a result of her guilty conviction, Magdalena had to use an ignition interlock device for 3 months, spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, and pay a total of $690 in fines. The other 2 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

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