A routine patrol turned into a bizarre Fair Haven NJ DWI Arrest when an officer spotted a Range Rover acting like a snowplow—not for snow, but for a massive pile of leaves.
The incident began on a rainy night in Fair Haven, New Jersey, when Officer Patton noticed a vehicle traveling unusually slow. What he found wasn’t just a traffic violation, but a driver allegedly unaware she had just crashed into a parked car and was dragging the evidence down River Road.
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Watch: Fair Haven NJ DWI Arrest Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:05:34 where the officer notes a strong odor of alcohol, escalating the stop to a criminal investigation.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
At approximately 8:40 PM on April 1, 2023, Officer Patton was stationed at the firehouse on River Road during a severe thunderstorm. As the storm slowed to a light rain, he saw a black Range Rover SUV crawling westbound.
The vehicle was pushing a “large mass” that the officer initially thought was a fallen tree branch. After pulling the driver over, he realized the Range Rover was pushing a massive pile of leaves like a snowplow.
When the officer approached the passenger window, he saw Jacklyn Esposito with her knees up on the steering wheel, looking at her phone. When asked about the leaves, she simply replied, “I know. I’m sorry.”
The situation quickly turned serious. A witness ran up to the officer, shouting that her car had just been hit. While Esposito claimed she “not really” remembered hitting anything, the damage on her fender and the trail of leaves told a different story.
Field Sobriety Failure: “Walking a Tightrope”
Officer Patton noted that Esposito’s eyes were bloodshot and watery, and a “strong odor of alcohol” came from the car. He led her to a vacant parking lot to perform Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs).
During the “Walk and Turn” test, Esposito struggled significantly. She compared the test to “walking a tightrope” and claimed she was a competitive swimmer with “abs” issues. Despite four attempts, she failed to touch heel-to-toe and eventually stopped, saying, “I can’t do this cause I’m not stable.”
The “One-Leg Stand” was equally difficult. Esposito lifted her leg like a “flamingo” and repeatedly lost her balance, counting only to “1001” before putting her foot down.
Finally, the officer performed the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (eye) test. He observed 7 out of 7 indicators of impairment, noting involuntary jerking in her eyes. At that point, she was placed under arrest.
The Breathalyzer Result: Nearly Three Times the Limit
At the police station, the investigation reached its climax with the Alcotest 9510 machine. Despite her claims of having “good lungs” as a swimmer, Esposito struggled to provide a proper sample, leading the officer to warn her about a potential “Refusal” charge.
Eventually, she provided two sufficient samples. The results were staggering: 0.226% BAC. In New Jersey, the legal limit is 0.08%, meaning she was nearly three times over the limit.
The Arrest: Charges Against Jacklyn Esposito
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| 39:4-50 DWI | Driving While Intoxicated | License loss, fines, ignition interlock. |
| 39:4-96 Reckless Driving | Driving with willful disregard for safety | Fines, potential jail time, points. |
| 39:3-4 Unregistered Vehicle | Driving a car with expired registration | Fines and fees. |
| 39:4-88 Marked Lanes | Failure to stay in the proper lane | Fines and insurance points. |
Legal Analysis: Was the Fair Haven NJ DWI Arrest Justified?
From a legal perspective, the Fair Haven NJ DWI Arrest appears to follow standard police protocol.
- Fourth Amendment Check: The initial stop was justified under the “Community Caretaking” doctrine or reasonable suspicion, as pushing a massive leaf pile across a roadway constitutes a clear hazard and potential vehicle malfunction.
- Police Protocol: Officer Patton documented the strong odor of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and the admission of “I know. I’m sorry” regarding the leaf pile. These observations, combined with the 7/7 indicators on the eye test, provided ample probable cause for the arrest.
[Read more Evidence Decode investigations here]
Here are 5 frequently asked questions related to the legal and procedural aspects of this case
What is “John’s Law” and how did it affect this case?
Named after a victim of a drunk driving accident, John’s Law allows New Jersey police to impound the vehicle of a person arrested for DWI for up to 12 hours. In this case, the suspect’s Range Rover was towed and held to ensure it was not operated again by someone under the influence immediately after the arrest.
Can a driver refuse to take the Alcotest breathalyzer in New Jersey?
While a driver can physically refuse, New Jersey’s “Implied Consent” law means that by driving on public roads, you have already agreed to submit to a breath test. Refusing often results in an automatic license suspension and fines that can be as severe as the DWI penalties themselves.
Why did the officer perform a Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test?
The HGN test looks for involuntary jerking of the eyeball, which becomes more pronounced when a person is intoxicated by alcohol. In this investigation, the officer found a total of 7 out of 7 indicators, providing strong evidence of impairment before the suspect even reached the police station.
Does a past medical condition or PTSD affect the validity of Field Sobriety Tests?
Physical or mental conditions like back pain, leg injuries, or PTSD can sometimes interfere with a person’s balance or focus during testing. However, officers are trained to look for specific “clues” and often use the “eye test” (HGN) or “alphabet test” because these are less affected by physical leg or back injuries.
What does a 0.226% BAC result actually signify?
A Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.226% means there were 0.226 grams of alcohol for every 100 milliliters of blood. This is nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08% in the United States, which generally indicates significant impairment of motor skills, coordination, and judgment.
Conclusion & Current Status
Jacklyn Esposito was processed at the Fair Haven Police Department and later released into the custody of her husband, James. Her vehicle was towed under “John’s Law,” which requires a 12-hour impoundment for DWI arrests. She was issued a court date for April 13, 2023.
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 and transcripts.
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I would like to see the police report
I’m with you, Jeanine! This channel SAYS that it offers the police report. THEY DON’T!
You can download it directly off this page. Maybe read more thoroughly before posting.
Jamie and Jeanie the police report is here at the link provided…where it says “Download Police Report click here”. I read the entire thing, it’s about 7 pages, detailed, and is really well done. I am interested to know what the result of the hearing was. Anyway, the police report is here.
I feel as though her husband knew she had been drinking. Sad situation all around. I hope she learned a valuable lesson.