The Highlands NJ DWI Arrest of Jaclyn Coyle began with a simple lane violation and ended with a staggering breathalyzer reading. Officers patrolling State Route 36 in Highlands, New Jersey, pulled over a gray Toyota Camry after watching it swerve across the road multiple times. What started as a routine traffic stop quickly escalated when police discovered empty liquor bottles and a driver who could barely stay on her feet.
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Watch: Highlands NJ DWI Arrest Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:04:36 where the situation escalates as Coyle struggles to maintain her balance during the one-legged stand test.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
On the night of March 18, 2023, around 9:20 PM, Sgt. Kevin O’Donnell was patrolling State Route 36 North. He noticed a gray 4-door Toyota Camry traveling ahead of him that was failing to stay in its lane. The vehicle crossed the solid white line four times in a short distance, prompting the officer to activate his lights and sirens.
When Sgt. O’Donnell approached the driver, later identified as Jaclyn Coyle of Brick, NJ, he immediately noticed red flags. Coyle’s eyes appeared watery and bloodshot, and her speech was audibly slurred. A strong odor of alcohol drifted from the car window.
Ptl. Alvator arrived on the scene to take over the investigation and perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). He asked Coyle if she was okay to drive, to which she replied, “I’m okay,” despite the mounting evidence to the contrary.
Field Sobriety Failure: Stumbling and Slurring
The Highlands NJ DWI Arrest investigation moved to the sidewalk, where Ptl. Alvator began a series of tests to determine Coyle’s level of impairment. While Coyle was able to recite the alphabet from A to Z without singing, her physical coordination told a different story.
During the “One-Legged Stand” test, Coyle repeatedly lost her balance. She placed her foot on the ground several times and even stumbled backward during the count. The “Walk and Turn” test was equally difficult; Coyle failed to stay in the starting position and had to use her arms for balance while walking the line.
Inside the Vehicle: The Fireball Discovery
As Coyle exited her vehicle for the tests, the officers spotted a tell-tale sign of trouble. Multiple empty 50 ml “Fireball” cinnamon whisky bottles were sitting in the driver’s side door panel.
Following the failed sobriety tests, Coyle was placed under arrest. A subsequent search of the Toyota Camry yielded even more evidence. Officers found additional empty 50 ml bottles of Fireball and a bottle of wine that had been in the vehicle.
Back at headquarters, the situation grew more serious. After a 20-minute observation period, Coyle submitted to a chemical breath test. The Alcotest machine revealed a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .20%—more than double the legal limit of .08% in New Jersey.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (NJ) |
| DWI (39:4-50) | Driving While Intoxicated (Alcohol or Drugs) | Loss of license, fines, IID, and potential jail time. |
| Reckless Driving | Driving with willful disregard for safety | Fines, points on license, and potential jail time. |
| Marked Lanes Violation | Failing to stay within the designated lane | Fines and points on driving record. |
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Legal Analysis: Was the Highlands NJ DWI Arrest Justified?
From a law enforcement perspective, the Highlands NJ DWI Arrest followed standard protocols for a DUI investigation.
- Fourth Amendment Check: The initial stop was based on a specific, articulable observation of a traffic violation—failing to maintain a lane. This provides the “Reasonable Suspicion” required by the Fourth Amendment to stop a vehicle.
- Police Protocol: Officers observed physical signs of intoxication (watery eyes, slurred speech, odor) before requesting field sobriety tests. The use of the Alcotest machine followed the required 20-minute observation period to ensure accuracy.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Highlands NJ DWI Case
What does a “BAC of .20%” actually mean in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit for drivers over 21 is 0.08%. A BAC of .20% is significantly higher—more than 2.5 times the legal limit
. In many states, including NJ, a BAC this high can trigger “enhanced” penalties because it is considered an extreme level of intoxication.
Can I be arrested for DWI even if I pass the “Alphabet Test”?
Yes. As seen in this case, Jaclyn Coyle successfully recited the alphabet from A to Z without singing. However, she was still arrested because she failed the physical coordination tests, such as the One-Legged Stand and the Walk and Turn. Police look at the “total balance of evidence,” including slurred speech, watery eyes, and the smell of alcohol.
What is “John’s Law” and why was it mentioned?
“John’s Law” (referenced in the transcript) allows New Jersey police to impound a vehicle for at least 12 hours after a DWI arrest. This law is designed to prevent an intoxicated person from getting back into their car and driving again immediately after being released from custody.
What is a “Marked Lanes” violation?
A “Marked Lanes” violation (Statute 39:4-88) occurs when a driver fails to keep their vehicle within a single lane. In this case, the officer observed the vehicle crossing the solid white line four times, which provided the “reasonable suspicion” needed to legally pull the vehicle over.
What happens if police find open containers of alcohol in the car?
If police find open or empty alcohol containers (like the 50ml Fireball bottles found in Coyle’s door panel), it serves as strong evidence of recent consumption. While the primary charge is the DWI, having open containers can lead to additional fines and makes it much harder for a suspect to claim they were not drinking.
Conclusion & Current Status
Following her processing at the Highlands Police Department, Coyle was able to contact a sober party to pick her up. She was released with several summonses and her vehicle was impounded per “John’s Law,” which requires police to hold vehicles involved in DWI arrests for a specific period.
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.
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