“You are insane!”
That is what a belligerent Audi driver DWI arrest suspect screamed at a Monmouth Beach police officer as he attempted to place her in his patrol vehicle. What started as a traffic stop for a slow-moving vehicle in New Jersey quickly spiraled into a chaotic confrontation involving arguments over a vape pen, a convertible roof, and a call to an uncle.
The incident, occurring late on March 13, 2024, highlights how quickly a standard DUI investigation can escalate when a driver becomes uncooperative.
Table of Contents
Watch: Belligerent Audi Driver DWI Arrest Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:26:03 where the driver refuses to help officers close her convertible roof because she is angry about the arrest.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
Phase 1: The Swerve
The incident began at approximately 11:05 PM on Ocean Avenue in Monmouth Beach, New Jersey. Patrolman Golembieski observed a white 2015 Audi A3 convertible driving noticeably slowly—just 34 mph in a 40 mph zone.
According to the police report, the vehicle was holding up a line of about 10 cars. The officer watched as the Audi swerved, crossing the yellow center line with its left tires and the white shoulder line with its right tires.
Phase 2: The “Bluetooth” Excuse
When the officer initiated the stop, the driver, identified as Ashley D. Bellaran, had an immediate explanation. She claimed she pulled over and turned her car off because her “Bluetooth wasn’t working”.
However, the officer immediately detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the car. He noted Bellaran had bloodshot, watery eyes and droopy eyelids. When asked for her documents, her movements were slow and fumbling.
Bellaran admitted she was driving because her friend, the passenger, had been drinking at Tommy’s Tavern in Sea Bright. She claimed she hadn’t had “a single beer” but had eaten appetizers.
Phase 3: “I Don’t Do Math”
The officer asked Bellaran to step out for Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). The situation grew tense during the instructions.
During the Walk and Turn test, the officer instructed her to place her feet in a specific position. According to the police report, Bellaran corrected her stance and stated, “I’m a school counselor, I don’t do math”.
She struggled to follow instructions, starting the test before being told to begin multiple times. The officer reported she missed heel-to-toe steps and stepped off the line, showing 5 out of 8 clues of impairment.
During the One Leg Stand test, she swayed and put her foot down three times.
Phase 4: The Arrest and The Vape
When the officer informed Bellaran she was under arrest for DWI, her demeanor shifted aggressively. She stiffened up and refused to move toward the patrol car.
“You are insane,” she argued, denying she was swerving. When told she had to get in the car, she yelled, “Absolutely not” and threatened, “I’m going to call my uncle”.
The confrontation turned bizarrely specific regarding her personal items. She repeatedly demanded her “f***ing vape”.
The situation peaked when officers realized the Audi’s convertible top was down, and the car was about to be towed to an impound lot. The officer asked her how to close the roof.
Bellaran replied: “I’m not going to fing tell you because you [are] just a person”*.
Eventually, officers managed to figure out the button mechanism themselves to secure the vehicle.
The Arrest: Charges Against Ashley D. Bellaran
Following the belligerent Audi driver DWI arrest scene, Bellaran was transported to the Monmouth Beach Police Department.
At the station, the erratic behavior continued. She swallowed an Advil pill she had hidden in her bag, forcing officers to restart the mandatory 20-minute observation period. She ultimately refused to provide a valid breath sample after 12 attempts, which officers interpreted as a refusal.
The police report lists the following charges:
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (NJ) |
| 39:4-50 | Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) | License loss, fines, IDRC classes, potential jail. |
| 39:4-50.2 | Refusal to Submit to Breath Test | Automatic license revocation (7 months to years). |
| 39:4-96 | Reckless Driving | Points on license, fines, potential jail. |
| 39:4-97 | Careless Driving | Points on license, fines. |
| 39:4-97.1 | Impeding Traffic | Fines for driving too slow/blocking flow. |
| 39:4-88B | Unsafe Lane Change | Fines, points. |
Legal Analysis: Was the Belligerent Audi Driver DWI Arrest Justified?
Fourth Amendment Check: The Stop
The initial stop appears legally solid based on the “Community Caretaking” and traffic enforcement standards. The officer documented two distinct infractions:
- Impeding Traffic: The Audi was traveling 34 mph in a 40 mph zone with 10 cars backed up behind it.
- Lane Violations: The officer observed the tires crossing both the center yellow line and the white shoulder line.
These observations provide Reasonable Suspicion to initiate a traffic stop.
The “Refusal” Charge
In New Jersey, driving is a privilege, not a right. Under the Implied Consent Law (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.2), any driver on public roads implicitly agrees to chemical testing.
Bellaran attempted the breath test 12 times but failed to provide two valid samples. In the eyes of the law, “trying” but failing to blow hard enough (without a medical reason) is often treated legally as a Refusal. This charge carries mandatory license suspension penalties distinct from the DWI charge itself.
[Read more Evidence Decode investigations here]
5 FAQs connected to the charges in this case, designed to answer common reader questions about US/New Jersey traffic law:
Is it a crime to drive significantly below the speed limit?
Yes, it can be. While most people worry about speeding, driving too slowly can be dangerous because it disrupts the flow of traffic. In this case, the charge 39:4-97.1 (Impeding Traffic) was applied because the driver was going 34 mph in a 40 mph zone and holding up a line of 10 cars. Officers often use this as “probable cause” to initiate a stop.
What is “Implied Consent” regarding breathalyzers?
“Implied Consent” means that by simply driving on public roads in states like New Jersey, you have legally agreed to submit to chemical testing (breath or blood) if arrested for DWI. You do not have the right to consult a lawyer before taking the breath test. Refusing to take the test—or failing to provide a valid sample—results in a separate charge (39:4-50.2) that carries its own automatic license suspension penalties.
Can anxiety or physical injuries explain failing a Field Sobriety Test?
They can be a defense, but officers are trained to ask about them beforehand. Before starting the “One Leg Stand” or “Walk and Turn” tests, officers ask if the driver has any injuries. In this case, the driver claimed a knee and thigh injury, but still agreed to perform the tests. If a driver has legitimate medical issues, the results of these physical tests can sometimes be challenged in court.
Why do police hold a vehicle for 12 hours after a DWI arrest?
This is often referred to as “John’s Law” in New Jersey (mentioned in the transcript as a reason the car must be held). The law mandates that police impound the vehicle of a driver arrested for DWI for a minimum of 12 hours. The goal is to prevent the potentially intoxicated person from accessing their vehicle and driving again immediately after being released.
Does “trying” to blow into a breathalyzer count as a refusal?
Yes, it can. A “Refusal” charge isn’t limited to saying “no.” If a driver repeatedly fails to provide a sufficient breath sample (often by not blowing hard enough or sealing their lips tight enough) without a valid medical reason, officers can interpret this as a deliberate refusal. In this incident, the driver was given 12 attempts to provide two good samples but failed to do so, leading to the refusal charge.
Conclusion & Current Status
After being processed, Ashley Bellaran was released into the custody of her friend, Paige Gyorindah, at approximately 1:30 AM on March 14, 2024.
Interestingly, the saga didn’t end at release. Bellaran called the station back at 5:03 AM—still looking for her vape. It was later found, along with her wallet, in the police station bathroom where her friend had left them.
Bellaran is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Download Police Report click here.
Disclaimer: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This report is based on official police records.
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