“Leave me the f*** alone!” shouted 60-year-old Karen Gebbie during the Holmdel Nurse DUI Arrest that has sparked intense social media debate. What started as a routine speeding stop in Holmdel, New Jersey, quickly spiraled into a high-stakes confrontation involving a medical professional, open wine containers, and a physical struggle with law enforcement.
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Watch: Holmdel Nurse DUI Arrest Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:15:52 where Gebbie stops following instructions and the situation escalates into a physical arrest.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The incident began on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at approximately 3:34 PM. Patrolman Darryl Jackson was monitoring traffic on Main Street when he clocked a dark SUV traveling at 77 mph in a 45 mph zone.
When the officer approached the driver, later identified as Karen Gebbie, he immediately smelled alcohol. Gebbie appeared confused, telling the officer she was headed to a hotel in Red Bank while actually driving in the opposite direction.
The tension rose when Patrolman Jackson spotted a “wine shooter” on the floorboard at Gebbie’s feet. The bottle was open and still contained liquid. When asked if she had been drinking, Gebbie claimed she only had wine at 8:00 AM that morning.
During the Holmdel Nurse DUI Arrest sequence, Gebbie repeatedly emphasized her profession. “I’m a nurse,” she told officers, suggesting that her status as a healthcare worker should influence their treatment of her.
However, her physical condition told a different story. Officers noted she had bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred speech. As she stepped out for sobriety tests, she struggled to maintain her balance.
The situation turned volatile during the “Walk and Turn” test. Gebbie became irate, using profanity and walking away from the officers toward her vehicle. Fearing she might attempt to flee or enter the vehicle, officers moved in to secure her.
A physical struggle ensued as Gebbie pulled her arms away, leading to an additional charge of resisting arrest. Once handcuffed and transported, a later breath test conducted at the State Police barracks revealed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.13%—well over the legal limit of 0.08%.
The Arrest: Charges Against Karen Gebbie
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| 39:4-50 | Operating M.V. Under Influence | Fines, License Suspension, IDRC |
| 2C:29-2 | Resisting Arrest | Fines and potential jail time |
| 39:4-96 | Reckless Driving | Points on license and heavy fines |
| 39:4-98.44 | Speeding (77 in 45) | License points and increased insurance |
| 39:4-51B | Open Container in M.V. | Monetary fines |
| 39:4-50.19A | Failure to install interlock | Further license suspension |
Legal Analysis: Was the Holmdel Nurse DUI Arrest Justified?
Fourth Amendment Check: The initial stop was based on a radar-confirmed speed of 77 mph in a 45 mph zone. Under the Fourth Amendment, this provides “reasonable suspicion” for a motor vehicle stop. The subsequent smell of alcohol and the sight of an open container in plain view provided “probable cause” for the DUI investigation.
Police Protocol: Patrolman Jackson followed Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST) guidelines by choosing a flat, debris-free surface. When the suspect became combative and refused to complete the tests, the officers were required to effect an arrest to prevent a potentially impaired driver from returning to the road.
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5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that are connected to the charges and legal procedures seen in this case
Can a driver be charged with a DUI if they aren’t currently drinking while driving?
Yes. In New Jersey, a driver can be charged under statute 39:4-50 if they are “under the influence” of alcohol regardless of when it was consumed. In this case, the suspect claimed she drank at 8:00 AM, but she was arrested at 3:52 PM after failing field tests and eventually blowing a 0.13% BAC.
What happens if a suspect refuses to finish Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs)?
If a driver becomes combative or refuses to complete the tests—as seen when the suspect told officers to “leave me the f*** alone” and walked away—the officer may immediately move to an arrest based on the observations already made (slurred speech, watery eyes, and the odor of alcohol).
Why was “Resisting Arrest” added if the suspect was initially compliant?
A charge of Resisting Arrest (2C:29-2) is often added if a suspect physically prevents an officer from applying handcuffs. During this incident, the suspect allegedly resisted by continuously pulling her arms away while officers attempted to gain control.
How does an “Open Container” charge differ from a DUI?
An “Open Container” charge (39:4-51B) is a specific violation for having an unsealed alcoholic beverage in the passenger compartment. It is a separate offense from the DUI; a driver can be sober but still be fined if an open bottle of wine is found on the floorboard or in the seating area.
Why is a suspect held in a cell if they have already been processed and charged?
Under law enforcement safety protocols, if an arrestee is intoxicated and has no sober person to take responsibility for them, the police will hold them in a cell (such as holding cell #3 used in this case) until they are deemed sober enough to leave safely on their own.
Conclusion & Current Status
Following her arrest, Karen Gebbie was processed at police headquarters. Because she had no one to pick her up and remained under the influence, she was held in a cell until she reached a level of sobriety that allowed for her safe release.
Her 2020 Kia Sportage was impounded and towed from the scene. Gebbie faces multiple summonses in Holmdel Municipal Court.
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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