A late-night Highlands NJ DWI Arrest turned into a legal nightmare for a Manhattan Uber driver who claimed she was sober despite failing multiple sobriety tests on the side of a highway. Patrol officers in Highlands, New Jersey, pulled over Zeynep Erkan after witnessing her vehicle swerve dangerously across State Route 36. What started as a routine traffic stop quickly escalated into a full criminal investigation.
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Watch: Highlands NJ DWI Arrest Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:01:21 where the officer confronts the driver about her “jerking” the steering wheel after swerving toward the lane lines.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The incident began on March 17, 2023, at approximately 11:10 PM. Patrolman Alvator was monitoring traffic on State Route 36 when he spotted a gray Ford Fusion.
The vehicle was struggling to maintain a constant speed, fluctuating between 25 and 35 MPH in a 45 MPH zone. As the officer followed, he watched the car drift toward the center line and then “jerk” back suddenly.
Officer Alvator activated his emergency lights, but the driver, Zeynep Erkan, did not stop immediately. She continued driving for nearly a quarter-mile before finally pulling into the Eastpointe Health and Fitness parking lot.
When the officer approached the window, he noticed a “heavy odor of perfume” as if it had just been sprayed. However, the smell of alcohol was still coming from inside the vehicle.
Erkan told the officer she was coming from a bar where she had “two beers” before walking on the beach. She also revealed that she was a professional taxi and Uber driver in Manhattan.
Despite her professional driving background, her performance on the roadside told a different story. Officers noted that while her physical movements were steady, she was deeply confused by simple instructions.
The Arrest: Charges Against Zeynep Erkan
After failing to correctly recite the alphabet and struggling with the one-leg stand, Erkan was placed under arrest. She was transported to Highlands Police headquarters for a formal breath test.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| DWI (39:4-50) | Driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. | License suspension, fines, and potential jail time. |
| Reckless Driving (39:4-96) | Driving with a willful disregard for the safety of others. | Points on license, heavy fines, and possible jail. |
| Impeding Traffic (39:4-97.1) | Driving so slowly that it blocks the normal flow of traffic. | Fines and insurance surcharges. |
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Legal Analysis: Was the Highlands NJ DWI Arrest Justified?
Fourth Amendment Check: The stop appears legally sound under the Fourth Amendment. Officers observed specific “articulable suspicion” including failure to maintain speed and lane swerving. In New Jersey, these observations are sufficient to initiate a traffic stop.
Police Protocol: The officers followed standard protocol by requesting a supervisor to assist with the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. The use of the Alcotest at headquarters followed the mandatory 20-minute observation period to ensure accuracy.
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five frequently asked questions. These explain the complexities of the law surrounding
Can you still be charged with a DWI if your breath test is below 0.08?
Yes. While 0.08% is the “legal limit” where you are automatically considered intoxicated, you can still be arrested if you show signs of impairment. In this case, the driver had a 0.06% BAC, but police still charged her because of her dangerous driving and failed roadside tests.
How does a DWI arrest affect someone who drives for Uber or a Taxi?
Professional drivers face much higher stakes. Most ride-share companies like Uber have “zero-tolerance” policies for safety. Even before a court date, an arrest for a moving violation like Reckless Driving can lead to a driver being permanently deactivated from the app.
Why do police note smells like “heavy perfume” in their official reports?
Officers are trained to look for “masking odors”. If a driver sprays a lot of perfume or uses strong air fresheners right before being pulled over, police often suspect they are trying to hide the smell of alcohol or drugs.
Is driving too slowly actually a crime in New Jersey?
Yes, it is called “Impeding Traffic”. If you drive significantly below the speed limit without a good reason, you create a hazard for other drivers. In this incident, the driver was going as slow as 25 MPH in a 45 MPH zone, which gave the officer “probable cause” to stop the vehicle.
Why do police use the “Alphabet Test” if it isn’t a physical balance test?
The alphabet test is used to check “divided attention”. It tests if your brain can perform a simple, automatic task while under the stress of a police interaction. If a driver mixes up letters or stops mid-way, it suggests to officers that alcohol is affecting their mental clarity.
Conclusion & Current Status
Following the Highlands NJ DWI Arrest, Zeynep Erkan yielded a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.06%. While this is below the New Jersey per se limit of 0.08%, she was still charged based on the officers’ observations of her driving and physical impairment.
She was processed and later released to a “sober party” in accordance with state law. Her vehicle was impounded from the scene.
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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