Apologetic Drunk Makes No Excuse in Florham Park, NJ

(Report condensed) On the above date and time, I was parked stationary in the center median of Route 24 near the Greenwood Avenue overpass conducting a selective enforcement detail. I observed a blue Acura traveling eastbound in the right lane. As the vehicle passed my location, the vehicle crossed over the solid white painted line of the roadway. I later observed the vehicle to follow other vehicles too closely as well as have its high beams on and to be delaying the flow of other traffic. A motor vehicle stop was conducted on Route 24 near mile marker 5.5 for the aforementioned violations. Upon approaching the passenger side of the vehicle, contact was made with the driver, Angelina Deo. While speaking with Ms. Deo, I immediately detected the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the interior of the vehicle. I then asked Ms. Deo for her license and vehicle’s documents. I observed Ms. Deo’s eyes to be watery, bloodshot, and her eyelids to be droopy. Ms. Deo’s hand movements were slow and fumbling for her documents as she spoke to me. I asked Ms. Deo where she is traveling from this evening, to which she explained she is traveling from a friend’s house in Morristown. I then asked Ms. Deo on a scale of one to ten, with one being sober and ten being drunk, what she would describe herself, to which she replied, “I would rate myself a 3 right now.” I then requested Ms. Deo to recite the alphabet from the letter “f” to “p”, to which she recited the alphabet in its entirety, and asked, “is that good enough for you?” I then returned to my patrol vehicle. I then advised Ms. Deo to exit her vehicle, where I began instructing the standardized field sobriety tests. The testing area was flat, dry, and free of debris. The first test was the horizontal gaze nystagmus. The next test was the walk and turn. The final test was the one leg stand. Based on the totality of the circumstances, including my observations, the distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Ms. Deo’s breath, her bloodshot and watery eyes, droopy eyelids, slurred speech, slow and fumbling hand movements, and her performance of the standardized field sobriety tests, Ms. Deo was handcuffed and placed under arrest for driving under the influence. Ms. Deo was then placed in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle, which checked negative for any contraband or implements of escape prior to her entrance, and secured with a seatbelt. Ptlm. Liberato and I conducted an immediate wingspan search of the vehicle for any alcoholic beverages or containers, with negative results. Ptlm. Liberato then stood by with the vehicle until the arrival of DeFalco’s Towing for the mandatory vehicle impound. Ms. Deo was then transported to police headquarters with PtIm. Negri following. Upon our arrival at the sally port, Ms. Deo then exited my patrol vehicle, which checked negative for any contraband or implements of escape upon her exit. Ms. Deo was then secured to the cuffing ring of the booking room bench. Ms. Deo stated she did not have any dependents to be cared for. She was then advised and given a copy of the PREA form. I then checked Ms. Deo’s mouth for any foreign objects, to include Invisalign, with negative results. Ms. Deo confirmed there was nothing in her mouth. At 03:04 hours, I began the mandatory twenty (20) minute observation period using the time on my G-shock brand wristwatch. During the observation period, Ms. Deo did not burp, belch, vomit, regurgitate, or place any foreign objects in her mouth. I then read Ms. Deo the standard statement, which she replied, “yes”, regarding providing samples of her breath for chemical testing. I then read Ms. Deo her rights pursuant to Miranda of which she waived, signed, and stated she understood. Ms. Deo stated she consumed three (3) half red solo cups of vodka and juice at her friend’s house in Morristown. Ms. Deo also reported she went to Homestead, located in Morristown, earlier in the night before going to Iron Bar, and then subsequently back to her friend’s house. After the mandatory twenty (20) minute observation, Ms. Deo was then escorted to the Alcotest instrument, where she completed two (2) successful breath samples. The Alcotest instrument reported a blood alcohol content of 0.18% BAC. Ms. Deo was issued the following motor vehicle summonses: Careless Driving, Following too closely, Expired Inspection of Vehicle, Failure to Maintain Lane, Reckless Driving, Driving Under the Influence, Use of High Beams, and Slow Speeds as Blocking Traffic. She was later released with a pending Florham Park Municipal Court date. ______________________________________________ All videos and case documents were obtained pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. (P.L. 2001, c. 404). Defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty. This channel is made strictly for educational and news gathering purposes. Not affiliated with any law enforcement agency.