A quiet evening in Short Hills, NJ, quickly turned chaotic when a driver, who identified herself as a doctor, allegedly backed her SUV into another vehicle in a parking lot.
After first confessing to drinking a single glass of wine, the situation spiraled into a full DUI investigation.
Shocking bodycam footage captured the suspect’s erratic behavior and her inability to perform basic field sobriety maneuvers, culminating in a dramatic police arrest.
Table of Contents
What Happened Before Police Arrived
The incident began as a prior, unreported motor vehicle accident that had occurred off-jurisdiction in Livingston Township, along CR 607 (Passaic Avenue).
The two drivers, later identified as Linda Parella and another driver named Pillai, had relocated to the parking lot at 440 Parsonage Hill Road, Short Hills, NJ, to exchange information.
A Millburn Police Officer was initially dispatched to the scene regarding the first accident.
Upon confirming the crash occurred in Livingston, the officer contacted the Livingston Township Police Department, who advised the drivers to simply exchange information and complete a New Jersey SR-1 Self-Reporting Crash form.
The Millburn officer helped Parella and Pillai exchange the required information.
After this process, Parella was initially told she was free to leave the parking lot.
However, immediately after, Pillai summoned the officer back, stating that Parella had just backed into her vehicle.
Pillai, who identified herself as a “doctor,” also raised the alarm, expressing her belief that Parella “may be under the influence of alcohol”.
The officer confirmed the fresh damage to Pillai’s black 2019 Chrysler Pacifica.
Parella, upon contact, immediately apologized, claiming her damaged driver’s side mirror was a contributing factor.
When questioned, she admitted to having had a “glass of wine at dinner” earlier that evening.
Police Arrival & Key Bodycam Moments
The initial responding officer, noticing Parella’s admission to drinking, “ordered her to park her vehicle” and informed her she was not free to leave.
Officer Genitempo, certified to conduct Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST) and the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, was called to the scene to continue the DUI investigation.
The bodycam captured several key moments during the sobriety tests:
- Initial Confrontation: When asked to step out for the tests, Parella consented but immediately grew frustrated, stating the situation was “ridiculous” and that she “didn’t see” the other car.
- HGN Test: During the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, Parella failed to keep her head still, repeatedly moving it while attempting to follow the officer’s finger.
- One-Leg Stand & Walk-and-Turn:
- For the One-Leg Stand, she complained, “I can’t, I’m sorry, I can’t do.”
- The officer noted that she could not maintain the required balance and repeatedly put her foot down.
- She also disclosed she had a heart condition and asthma.
- The Arrest: After the SFST and HGN tests, the officer determined there was probable cause to arrest her.
- When informed she was being arrested, Parella became highly distraught, yelling, “You’re putting me in handcuffs… I’m a doctor!“
- She kept arguing with the officer.
- She also said, “I think she’s drunk,” referring to herself.
- The officer placed her in handcuffs and secured her in the patrol vehicle.
Charges & Legal Explanation
The suspect, Linda Parella, was issued the following charge:
- Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol (DWI/DUI) — Violation of N.J.S.A. 39:4-50
The Charge Explained:
This is the primary DUI offense in New Jersey. An officer administers this charge when there is probable cause to believe a driver is operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, regardless of the BAC reading.
The probable cause in this case was:
- Parella’s admission to drinking wine
- The motor vehicle accident
- Her performance during the SFST and HGN tests
Following the arrest, Parella was transported to the Springfield Township Police Headquarters for breath testing.
The Alcotest 7110 MKIII-C machine registered her Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) at 0.13%.
In New Jersey, the legal limit for drivers over 21 is 0.08%.
Expert Opinion Section
- Did the officers act correctly?
Yes. Proper protocol was followed from the first accident report to the DUI investigation.
Reasonable suspicion was established based on the second accident, the apology, the broken mirror, and the admission of drinking. - Were their decisions justified?
Yes. Calling an SFST-certified officer was the right step.
Once the field sobriety tests indicated impairment, the DUI arrest under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50 was legally justified. - Could the situation have been handled differently?
No. The officer was patient, even acknowledging the suspect’s asthma and heart condition.
Transporting her to Springfield for the Alcotest was standard procedure. - Did the suspect receive proper legal treatment?
Yes. She was read the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators and was Mirandized, ensuring her legal rights.
Final Outcome / What Happened in the End
After the arrest, the suspect provided two breath samples, confirming a BAC of 0.13%.
- Processing and Release:
She was taken back to Millburn Police Headquarters, processed, and released to her boyfriend, Donald Ebert, who signed a Potential Liability Warning. - Vehicle Towed:
Her 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe was impounded under John’s Law and towed to Livingston Collision’s impound yard. - Medical Evaluation:
She mentioned asthma and a heart condition, but no medical treatment was required.
Her inhaler was available during testing. - Final Legal Result:
She received a single summons for DUI.
She is scheduled to appear before the Millburn Municipal Court on 10/28/2025.
This remains an active US crime news case.