DWI arrest bodycam footage released from Monmouth Beach, New Jersey, reveals a chaotic traffic stop that quickly escalated from a lane violation to a messy DUI investigation.
On April 15, 2023, just after 2:00 AM, Officer Finnegan of the Monmouth Beach Police Department spotted a vehicle drifting dangerously into the shoulder near the Sea Bright border. What started as a routine stop for failing to maintain a lane turned into a lengthy roadside investigation involving slurred speech, expired documents, and a driver visibly struggling to hold it together.
This Evidence Decode report breaks down the minute-by-minute details of the arrest of 24-year-old Shyasia Banks, exposing the reality of impaired driving enforcement.
Table of Contents
Watch: DWI Arrest Bodycam Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:09:47 in the transcript. This is the moment Officer Finnegan asks, “Are you going to throw up?” marking a critical turning point in the investigation.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The incident began on a dark stretch of Ocean Avenue. Officer Finnegan was running stationary radar when he noticed a vehicle traveling north at a notably slow speed.
Through his rearview mirror, the officer saw the car fail to maintain its lane. The vehicle’s tires crossed the solid white line, driving completely into the shoulder. It nearly struck the curb twice before the officer initiated the traffic stop in the 1500 block of Ocean Avenue.
“Just Driving Around”
When Officer Finnegan approached the driver’s side, he met Shyasia Banks, the sole occupant. The interaction immediately raised red flags. Banks struggled to locate her registration and insurance, handing the officer an expired insurance card from March 2023 and an old dealer registration.
Her explanation for being out at 2:15 AM changed rapidly. First, she claimed she was “just driving around” because she is “always home”. Moments later, she admitted she was coming from Porta, a popular nightclub in Asbury Park.
Physical Signs of Impairment
The officer noted distinct physical signs of impairment. Banks displayed slow hand coordination and her speech was slurred. Specifically, she stuttered on words like “rarely” and “head,” and bizarrely pronounced “pulled” as “purred”.
When asked about alcohol consumption, Banks initially claimed she only drank water. Later, under questioning outside the vehicle, she changed her story, admitting to having “one Rum and Coke”.
The Situation Escalates
The stop took a turn for the worse when Banks became physically ill. Officer Finnegan observed her “attempting to hold in vomit”. She was unsuccessful and vomited on herself while still in the driver’s seat.
Recognizing the danger, Officer Finnegan requested she step out of the vehicle. Even after exiting, the situation remained volatile. As the transcript reveals, Banks repeatedly apologized, stating, “I’m sorry. I just hate being pulled over,” and “I don’t want to cause any trouble”.
Despite her emotional pleas to just go home, officers proceeded with Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) on the sidewalk. Banks removed her high heels to perform the tests barefoot but still struggled significantly. She failed to keep her balance during instructions, stepped off the line, and counted incorrectly.
The Arrest: Charges Against Shyasia Banks
Following her failure to complete the field sobriety tests and the observation of nystagmus (involuntary eye jerking) during the HGN test administered by Captain Rock, Banks was placed under arrest.
At headquarters, she submitted to a breath test. The Alcotest reading confirmed a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.1379%, well above the legal limit.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (NJ) |
| 39:4-50 | Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) | License loss, fines, IDRC classes, possible jail. |
| 39:4-96 | Reckless Driving | Points on license, fines, possible imprisonment. |
| 39:4-97 | Careless Driving | Fines, points on license. |
| 39:4-88 | Failure to Maintain Lane | Fines, points on license. |
Legal Analysis: Was the DWI Arrest Bodycam Evidence Solid?
From a legal perspective, this case presents strong probable cause for the arrest.
Reasonable Suspicion for the Stop
The initial stop was justified under the Fourth Amendment. Officer Finnegan observed a specific traffic violation: the vehicle traveling in the shoulder and nearly striking the curb. In New Jersey, lane violations under statute 39:4-88 provide sufficient legal ground for a police stop.
Probable Cause for Arrest
The transition from a traffic stop to a DWI investigation was supported by “totality of the circumstances.” The officer cited:
- Admission of Drinking: Banks admitted to consuming alcohol (Rum and Coke).
- Physical Symptoms: Slurred speech, slow motor skills, and vomiting.
- Failed Tests: The suspect could not follow instructions during the “Walk and Turn” and “One-Leg Stand” tests.
- HGN Results: Captain Rock documented “distinct and sustained nystagmus” in both eyes, a key indicator of impairment.
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5 FAQs in that are connected to the charges and events in this specific case, focusing on the legal nuances and procedures
What is “John’s Law” regarding vehicle impoundment in New Jersey?
“John’s Law” allows law enforcement to impound the vehicle of a driver arrested for DWI for a mandatory 12-hour period. In this case, the officer explicitly explained to the suspect’s grandmother that she could not retrieve the car immediately because of this law. The law is designed to prevent an intoxicated person from regaining access to their vehicle and driving again shortly after release.
What is the “Potential Liability Warning” form that a guardian must sign?
When a DWI suspect is released to a sober adult (like the grandmother in this case), the police must read them a specific warning. This form states that if the guardian allows the intoxicated person to drive again while still under the influence, the guardian can face criminal penalties and civil liability if a crash occurs.
Why do officers check a driver’s eyes (HGN Test) during a traffic stop?
The Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test checks for involuntary jerking of the eyes, which is a common sign of impairment that a suspect cannot control. In this incident, a second officer (Captain Rock) was called specifically to perform this test because the driver claimed her vision was blurry due to medication and lack of glasses.
Can a driver be charged with both Reckless and Careless Driving for the same incident?
Yes. “Reckless Driving” (39:4-96) implies a willful disregard for safety, while “Careless Driving” (39:4-97) implies a lack of caution. Police often issue citations for both, along with “Failure to Maintain Lane” (39:4-88), to cover all aspects of the erratic driving behavior observed, such as driving on the shoulder and nearly striking a curb.
What happens if a driver is unable to complete Field Sobriety Tests due to physical issues or footwear?
Officers may offer the driver a chance to remove their footwear, as Officer Finnegan did when he noticed the suspect was wearing heels. However, if the driver still fails to follow instructions—such as losing balance, starting too early, or stepping off the line—these “clues” are recorded as evidence of impairment regardless of the footwear adjustment.
Conclusion & Current Status
Shyasia Banks was processed at Monmouth Beach Police Headquarters. During processing, she continued to vomit and nearly fell off the booking bench due to her intoxicated state.
She was eventually released into the custody of her grandmother, Linda Perez, at 4:19 AM. Under “John’s Law,” the vehicle was impounded for a mandatory 12-hour period.
This DWI arrest bodycam incident serves as a stark reminder of the rigorous enforcement on New Jersey roads. The combination of erratic driving, bodycam evidence, and breathalyzer results creates a difficult case for any defense.
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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 from incident 23MB01533.
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