A dramatic Colts Neck DWI Arrest unfolded late on December 9, 2024, when a 64-year-old woman crashed her SUV onto a residential front lawn. The bizarre incident left a white 2020 Toyota RAV4 bottomed out on a wooden embankment in the dark. This viral case is drawing attention due to the driver’s extreme confusion and the clear bodycam footage of her failed field sobriety tests.
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Watch: Colts Neck DWI Arrest Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:11:55 where the situation escalates, and the officer officially places the suspect under arrest.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The incident began when Colts Neck Police responded to a 911 call about a vehicle on the front lawn of 92 Cedar Drive. Officers Steven Ferlisi and Alexander Delutio arrived to find Kimberly Scarola outside of her white Toyota RAV4.+4
Scarola immediately told Officer Delutio that she could not move her car because it was out of gas. When asked how she ended up driving off the roadway and onto the grass, she replied that she did not know.+2
Officers quickly noticed several signs of impairment. Scarola had watery, bloodshot eyes and her speech was heavily slurred. When Officer Delutio asked where she was coming from, she explained she had been watching her niece’s children in Freehold and had consumed “two” glasses of white wine.+4
The officers asked Scarola to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) on the level, well-lit street. During the “Walk and Turn” test, she could not stay in the starting position and failed to walk heel-to-toe on any of her steps.+2
The “One Leg Stand” test proved even more difficult. Bodycam audio captured Scarola attempting to count, saying “10,000, 1002 1003 124” before losing her balance and putting her foot down after just five seconds. Officer Ferlisi then placed her in handcuffs for suspicion of driving while intoxicated.+4
At police headquarters, the testing process faced further delays. Scarola was given a breath test using the Alcotest 9510 machine. However, her first five breath samples flagged as “MIN VOL NOT ACHIEVED” because she began heavily hiccuping. After several mandatory 20-minute observation periods to let the hiccups pass, she finally provided acceptable samples. Her recorded Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was 0.145%, well over the legal limit.+4
The Arrest: Charges Against Kimberly Scarola
Following the investigation, police issued multiple traffic summonses to the driver.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| Driving While Intoxicated (39:4-50) | Operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol. +1 | Fines, monetary penalties, license suspension, possible incarceration, and ignition interlock (based on standard state warnings). +3 |
| Careless Driving (39:4-97) | Driving without due caution. | Determined by local municipal court. |
| Reckless Driving (39:4-96) | Willfully endangering people or property. | Determined by local municipal court. |
| Marked Lanes (39:4-88) | Failing to keep the vehicle safely inside designated traffic lanes. | Determined by local municipal court. |
Legal Analysis: Was the Colts Neck DWI Arrest Justified?
When reviewing this Colts Neck DWI Arrest, the officers appear to have followed strict legal protocols.+1
Under the Fourth Amendment, police need “reasonable suspicion” to detain someone and “probable cause” to make an arrest. The officers had clear probable cause: they found Scarola’s vehicle crashed onto private property, smelled a strong odor of alcohol on her breath, and observed bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.+1
Furthermore, police properly read Scarola the New Jersey Attorney General’s Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators. This form legally required her to submit breath samples or face strict refusal penalties, which can include up to 20 years of license revocation and a $2,000 fine. Scarola consented to the breath test and waived her Miranda rights.
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5 FAQs that are connected to the charges and procedures mentioned in the case
What is the difference between Reckless Driving and Careless Driving?
Reckless Driving (39:4-96) involves a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others, meaning the driver knew they were being dangerous. Careless Driving (39:4-97) is less severe and typically means the driver was negligent or not paying attention, without necessarily intending to cause harm. In many DWI cases, drivers are charged with both.
Can you refuse a breathalyzer test in New Jersey?
Under New Jersey’s “Implied Consent” laws, driving on public roads means you have already agreed to chemical testing. If you refuse, officers will charge you with a separate violation that carries penalties similar to—or sometimes stricter than—a DWI conviction, including license revocation and heavy fines.
What is “John’s Law” regarding vehicle impoundment?
“John’s Law” allows police to impound a vehicle involved in a DWI arrest for up to 12 hours to prevent the driver from getting back behind the wheel while intoxicated. The driver must be released to a responsible, sober adult who signs a Potential Liability Warning, accepting responsibility for the accused.
Do I have to perform Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs)?
While you can technically refuse Field Sobriety Tests (like the Walk-and-Turn or One-Leg Stand), doing so does not guarantee you won’t be arrested. Officers can still arrest you based on other observations, such as the smell of alcohol, slurred speech, or erratic driving behavior.
What constitutes a “Marked Lanes” violation?
A Marked Lanes violation (39:4-88) occurs when a driver fails to keep their vehicle entirely within a single lane or changes lanes without safety. This is a common companion charge in DWI cases because swerving, drifting, or driving off the road—like driving onto a lawn—is often the first sign of impairment observed by police.
Conclusion & Current Status
After processing at the Colts Neck Police headquarters, Kimberly Scarola was not held in a jail cell. Instead, in accordance with state guidelines, she was released into the custody of an adult, Nicholas Grimaldi. Grimaldi had to sign a Potential Liability Warning, acknowledging the legal risks of letting her drive while still intoxicated. Scarola’s vehicle was impounded and towed from the scene by Marlboro Autobody. She will now face her charges in municipal court.
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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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