The Colts Neck DUI Arrest of a Matawan woman began with a simple missing license plate but quickly escalated into a tense roadside standoff involving hidden pills and open containers. Police in Colts Neck, New Jersey, took Elizabeth M. Rodrick into custody after she reportedly refused to cooperate with field sobriety tests and breath samples.
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Watch: Colts Neck DUI Arrest Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 08:08 where the officer notes the smell of alcohol and the driver’s slow, stuttering speech.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
It was shortly before 1:00 AM on December 17, 2023, when Ptl. Forgach spotted a dark sedan heading northbound on SR 34. The vehicle was missing its front license plate, prompting a traffic stop near Bray Street.
When the officer approached the silver Toyota Camry, he found Elizabeth Rodrick smoking a cigarette with the radio blasting. As soon as she rolled down the window, the officer reportedly smelled alcohol coming from inside the car.
Rodrick’s behavior was described as “passive-aggressive.” She claimed her bumper had been replaced, which is why the car had multiple colors. However, her slow speech and stuttering raised immediate red flags for the officers on the scene.
The situation grew more tense when Rodrick refused to answer questions about whether she had been drinking. Even after a second officer, Ptl. Centofanti, arrived to help, Rodrick remained uncooperative.
Officers asked her to perform a field sobriety test or simply say the ABCs without singing. She refused both. “Because why?” she asked when told to exit the car.
After being placed in the patrol car, a search of her vehicle revealed a bottle of Modelo Especial and a pill bottle. The pill bottle was labeled “INWARD JOURNEY MICRODOSES” and contained capsules of suspected “Cubensis” (magic mushrooms).
The Arrest: Charges Against Elizabeth Rodrick
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| DUI / Under the Influence | Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. | Fines, license loss, and possible jail time. |
| Possession of CDS (Sch I) | Having illegal drugs (Psilocybin/Mushrooms). | Possible prison sentence and heavy fines. |
| Refusal to Submit Breath Sample | Refusing the legal requirement to take a breathalyzer. | Automatic license suspension and fines. |
| Open Container in Vehicle | Having an unsealed alcoholic beverage in the car. | Fines and points on license. |
| Littering | Flicking a lit cigarette into the grass. | Fines and community service. |
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Legal Analysis: Was the Colts Neck DUI Arrest Justified?
Fourth Amendment Check: The initial stop was based on a clear equipment violation: the missing front license plate. Under New Jersey law, this provides “reasonable suspicion” for a stop. The subsequent search of the vehicle was likely justified under the “automobile exception” due to the plain smell of alcohol and the driver’s signs of impairment.
Police Protocol: Officers followed standard procedure by requesting field sobriety tests once they suspected impairment. When Rodrick refused the breathalyzer at headquarters, the officers correctly read the NJ AG Standard Statement, which informs drivers of the consequences of refusal.
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Based on the charges filed in this case, here are 5 frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding New Jersey traffic and criminal laws
What happens if a driver refuses to provide a breath sample in New Jersey?
Under New Jersey’s “Implied Consent” law, any person who operates a vehicle on a public road is deemed to have given consent to a breathalyzer test.
Initial Consequence: If you refuse, such as by stating “I will not,” you will be charged with a separate offense known as Refusal.
Penalties: For a first offense, penalties typically include a license suspension of 7 to 12 months, fines between $300 and $500, and an annual insurance surcharge of $1,000 for three years.
Dual Charges: Drivers are often charged with both DUI and Refusal simultaneously, as a breath sample is not required to prove intoxication if other evidence exists.
Is it illegal to have an open bottle of alcohol in the passenger area?
Yes. New Jersey law prohibits both drivers and passengers from possessing an open or unsealed container of alcohol in the passenger compartment of a vehicle.
Definition: An “open container” includes any bottle with a broken seal or partially removed contents, such as the open bottle of Modelo found in this case.
Fines: A first-time offender typically faces a $200 fine, while a second offense leads to a $250 fine or 10 days of community service.
Proper Storage: To avoid this charge, alcohol should always be stored in the vehicle’s trunk.
What are the penalties for having illegal drugs (CDS) in a motor vehicle?
Possessing a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) while operating a vehicle is a serious offense governed by Statute 39:4-49.1.
Mandatory Suspension: A conviction for having drugs like psilocybin (magic mushrooms) in the car carries a mandatory 2-year driver’s license suspension.
Criminal vs. Traffic: While often written as a traffic ticket, it is frequently accompanied by a separate criminal charge for possession.
No Judge Discretion: Judges generally have no power to reduce or waive the 2-year license forfeiture if the driver is found guilty.
Why was the driver’s car towed and impounded for 12 hours?
This is a result of “John’s Law,” a New Jersey mandate designed to prevent impaired individuals from immediately returning to the road.
The 12-Hour Rule: Police are required to impound the vehicle of anyone arrested for DUI or Refusal for at least 12 hours.
Release Conditions: The vehicle can only be released after the 12-hour period has passed and all towing and storage fees are paid.
Liability: Anyone picking up the driver must sign a Potential Liability Warning form, acknowledging they could be held responsible if they allow the impaired person to drive again.
Can a driver be convicted of a DUI without a breathalyzer result?
Yes. A prosecutor can prove impairment through observation-based evidence even if no chemical test is performed.
Physical Signs: Officers look for slurred speech, stuttering, slow movements, and the smell of alcohol, all of which were noted in this incident.
Behavioral Evidence: Refusing to perform field sobriety tests (like saying the ABCs) or showing a lack of balance can be used in court as evidence of guilt.
Other Documentation: Bodycam and dashcam footage are powerful tools that can lead to a conviction based purely on the driver’s appearance and conduct.
Conclusion & Current Status
Elizabeth Rodrick was processed at Tinton Falls PD for fingerprinting and later released to a responsible party. Her vehicle was impounded for 12 hours under “John’s Law.” She now faces multiple traffic summonses and a criminal charge for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
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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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