Highlands NJ DUI Bodycam footage captures the exact moment a routine traffic stop turned into a violent brawl on the side of a New Jersey highway. What began as a report of a swerving Ford F-150 ended with officers breaking a window, a suspect slipping her handcuffs, and police reporting multiple bite injuries. This investigation by Evidence Decode breaks down the chaotic January 2023 arrest of 41-year-old Carrie Burns in Highlands, New Jersey.
Table of Contents
Watch: Highlands NJ DUI Bodycam Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:09:14 in the transcript. This is where the standoff breaks, officers smash the window, and the physical altercation begins.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The Erratic Driving
The incident began late at night on January 20, 2023. Officer Curley of the Highlands Police Department was on routine patrol when she spotted a red 2018 Ford F-150 swerving dangerously on Bay Avenue.
According to the police report, the truck struck a curb while entering SR 36 North. The driver, identified as Carrie Burns, then swerved into the far-left lane, nearly hitting three other vehicles. Officer Curley activated her emergency lights, and Burns pulled over.
The Refusal
When Officer Curley approached the truck, she noticed Burns was on a phone call connected to the vehicle’s Bluetooth. The officer noted that Burns had bloodshot, watery eyes and was slurring her words. A strong smell of alcohol came from the vehicle.
Officers asked Burns to hang up and provide her license. She refused to provide documents and eventually told officers she was coming from the “Chubby Pickle”.
When asked to step out of the vehicle, the situation escalated quickly. Burns locked her doors, rolled up the windows, and gave the officers the middle finger.
The Escalation
Officers on the scene pleaded with Burns to unlock the door. The transcript reveals repeated requests: “Ma’am, please just open the door for us”. Burns refused, reportedly screaming threats like “I will f*** you up”.
The danger increased when Burns began revving her engine. Police feared she would drive away or run them over. Officer Flores warned her, “I do not want to have to break your window… Do not drive this car”.
The Assault
When Burns put the truck into gear, Officer Flores used his baton to break the window. Burns exited the vehicle and allegedly began punching Officer Flores immediately.
During the struggle on the ground, the report states that Burns bit Officer Curley’s right leg numerous times. Officers eventually placed her in double-locked handcuffs, but the fight was not over. Burns continued to scream insults, calling the officers “f***ing pigs”.
Chaos in the Patrol Car
Once inside the patrol vehicle, the Highlands NJ DUI Bodycam audio captured even more shocking behavior. Burns managed to slip out of her handcuffs. Officers found her with marks on her wrists from pulling them off.
When officers opened the door to secure her again, she became rigid and wedged her feet against the seat. During this second struggle, Burns reportedly bit Officer Curley again, this time on the left arm. She also told the officer, “I will kill you”.
Later, breath tests showed Burns had a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.18. This is more than double the legal limit in New Jersey. She also admitted to police that she had consumed “3 tequila drinks” that evening.
The Arrest: Charges Against Carrie Burns
Police filed numerous charges following the incident. A search of her purse also revealed a large fixed-blade knife.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| Aggravated Assault on LEO | Attacking a police officer causing injury. | Serious felony; potential prison time. |
| DUI | Driving Under the Influence of alcohol (.18 BAC). | License suspension, fines, jail time. |
| Terroristic Threats | Threatening to kill or harm officers. | Felony charge; prison/probation. |
| Unlawful Possession of Weapon | Having a fixed-blade knife without a legal purpose. | Felony charge. |
| Resisting Arrest | Fighting police attempts to detain her. | Jail time or fines. |
| Obstruction | Preventing police from doing their job (locking doors). | Misdemeanor crime. |
| Reckless Driving | Driving with willful disregard for safety. | Points on license, fines. |
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Legal Analysis: Was the Highlands NJ DUI Bodycam Force Justified?
The Traffic Stop
Under the Fourth Amendment, police need “reasonable suspicion” to stop a vehicle. In this case, Officer Curley observed specific traffic violations: swerving, hitting a curb, and nearly striking other cars. This provides a solid legal basis for the initial stop.
The Order to Exit
During a lawful traffic stop, officers have the authority to order a driver out of the vehicle for officer safety. This is a standard legal precedent established by the Supreme Court case Pennsylvania v. Mimms. When Burns refused to exit and locked her doors , she was likely in violation of obstruction laws.
Breaking the Window
The use of force—specifically breaking the window—will be analyzed based on the “objective reasonableness” standard. The report notes that Burns was revving her engine and putting the truck in gear. This created an immediate threat to the officers standing nearby and the public if a chase ensued. Because she refused lawful commands and posed a physical threat, the forced entry appears to follow standard police protocol for non-compliant, dangerous drivers.
Search and Seizure
The discovery of the knife occurred during a search incident to arrest or an inventory search of the vehicle. Once Burns was arrested for DUI and Assault, officers generally have the right to search the suspect’s immediate property (like her purse) and the vehicle before towing it under “John’s Law”.
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5 Simple FAQs related to the charges in this case
What counts as “Obstruction” during a traffic stop?
Obstruction means purposely preventing police officers from doing their job. In this specific case, the suspect refused to roll down her window, locked her doors, and would not get out of the car when ordered. In the US, if an officer gives you a lawful order to step out of the vehicle, refusing to do so can lead to an Obstruction charge.
Why was the assault charge “Aggravated”?
A simple assault becomes “Aggravated” when it is committed against a police officer. Even if the injury seems minor, hitting, kicking, or biting a law enforcement officer while they are on duty is a serious felony. In this incident, the suspect was charged with Aggravated Assault for biting and punching the officers.
What does “Terroristic Threats” actually mean?
This charge sounds like it involves terrorism, but it usually applies to threatening to kill or seriously hurt someone. When the suspect told officers, “I will kill you” and “I will f*** you up,” she was charged with Terroristic Threats because her words were meant to cause fear of immediate violence.
Is it illegal to have a knife in your purse?
It can be. In New Jersey, you can be charged with “Unlawful Possession of a Weapon” if you carry a weapon (like the large fixed-blade knife found in the suspect’s purse) without a lawful purpose. Since she was committing other crimes at the time, police determined the knife was not there for a legal reason.
Can you get a DUI if you aren’t driving fast?
Yes. You can get a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) as long as you are operating the vehicle while impaired. The suspect was charged because her blood alcohol level was 0.18% (more than double the legal limit) and she admitted to drinking tequila. The “Reckless Driving” charge was added separately because she swerved and hit a curb before stopping.
Conclusion & Current Status
Carrie Burns was processed at headquarters and later transported to Monmouth Medical Center for evaluation after claiming an arm injury, though she also fought with medical staff during transport. She was released on a summons to appear in court.
The Highlands NJ DUI Bodycam footage serves as a stark reminder of how quickly alcohol and non-compliance can turn a traffic ticket into a life-altering felony case.
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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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