5 Shocking Little Silver New Jersey DWI Arrest Mistakes Caught on Bodycam

By Sarah Bennett

“I don’t like to lie,” a crying woman tells a Little Silver police officer just moments before her Little Silver New Jersey DWI Arrest on Rumson Road. The emotional scene, captured on June 19, 2023, shows 40-year-old Jaquelynn Heather Ayres struggling through sobriety tests after being pulled over for “driving all over the road”. This case has sparked local interest due to the suspect’s claims of a “shitty breakup” and her eventual refusal to provide a breath sample at the station.

Watch: Little Silver New Jersey DWI Arrest Caught on Camera

https://youtu.be/kW_e1-W9cTQ

Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:39:12 where Ayres repeatedly refuses to provide a breath sample despite warnings about the legal consequences .

Full Story: The Rumson Road Traffic Stop

The incident began on a Monday evening at approximately 7:44 PM. Sergeant Andrew Smith of the Little Silver Police Department observed a 2010 burgundy vehicle driving erratically on Rumson Road.

“I’m so happy to know that you’re kind of all over the road,” Sergeant Smith noted as he approached the driver. The suspect, Jaquelynn Ayres, was visibly upset and crying. She admitted to coming from “Donovan’s” and “Coffee Bean” and initially claimed she hadn’t had a drink since that morning.

However, as the conversation continued, the story shifted . Ayres eventually confessed to having two “Tito’s mixed crushes” and a glass of wine about an hour before being pulled over . She attributed her emotional state to a “shitty breakup” that had occurred months prior.


The Field Sobriety Tests: A Balance of Nerves

Sergeant Smith requested that Ayres exit the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests on the sidewalk. Throughout the process, Ayres expressed extreme nervousness, even mentioning that her cousin was a “good person” and a “cop”.

  • Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN): The officer used a white-tipped pen to track her eye movements, instructing her to follow only with her eyes.
  • Walk and Turn: Ayres was instructed to take nine heel-to-toe steps along an imaginary line, turn, and take nine steps back. She struggled to maintain her balance while standing in the starting position.
  • One-Leg Stand: Ayres attempted to lift one leg six inches off the ground while counting out loud. She was unable to maintain the position and put her foot down during the test.
Little Silver New Jersey DWI Arrest showing officers conducting field sobriety tests on Rumson Road.
Little Silver New Jersey DWI Arrest showing officers conducting field sobriety tests on Rumson Road.

Based on her performance and admissions, officers placed her under arrest for driving while intoxicated.


The Arrest: Charges Against Jaquelynn Ayres

Following the Little Silver New Jersey DWI Arrest, Ayres was transported to Little Silver Police Headquarters for processing. During the formal reading of the Standard Statement, she explicitly refused to submit to a breathalyzer test.

ChargeSimple ExplanationPotential Penalty (US)
39:4-50Operating Under Influence of Liquor or Drugs Fines, License Suspension, IDRC
39:4-50.4ARefusal to Submit to Chemical Test Up to 20yr License Revocation, $2k Fine
39:4-96Reckless Driving Fines, Points, Possible Jail Time
39:4-88Failure to Maintain Lane Fines and Points
39:4-97.3Use of Hands-Free Wireless Device Fines

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As a legal expert analyzing this case, the initial stop appears justified under the Fourth Amendment due to the observed lane violations (“all over the road”). This provided the “reasonable suspicion” necessary for a traffic stop.

The escalation to a Little Silver New Jersey DWI Arrest was supported by the suspect’s own admissions of consuming alcohol recently and her visible impairment during field sobriety tests .

Regarding the refusal charge, New Jersey is an “implied consent” state. By driving on public roads, motorists agree to submit to breath testing if arrested for DWI. Ayres was warned that “any response that is ambiguous or conditional” would be treated as a refusal. Her direct “No” and “Yes” to the refusal question solidified the additional charge.

[Read more Evidence Decode investigations here]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What happens if someone refuses a breathalyzer test in New Jersey?

New Jersey has an “Implied Consent” law, meaning that by driving on public roads, you have already agreed to take a breath test if arrested for DWI. If you refuse, you face separate charges that carry penalties often as severe as a DWI, including long-term license suspension and heavy fines.

What is “John’s Law” and how does it affect an arrest?

“John’s Law” requires police to impound the vehicle of a person arrested for DWI for 12 hours. It also mandates that the person can only be released into the custody of a responsible, sober adult who must sign a form acknowledging they are taking responsibility for the individual.

Can emotional distress or a “breakup” be used as a legal defense for a DWI?

While emotional distress might explain a person’s state of mind, it is not a legal justification for operating a vehicle under the influence. In court, the focus remains on the blood alcohol content or the level of impairment shown during field sobriety tests, regardless of the personal reasons behind the consumption.

Are field sobriety tests mandatory during a traffic stop?

Unlike breathalyzer tests at the station, field sobriety tests (like walking in a straight line) are technically voluntary in many jurisdictions, but refusing them often gives the officer “probable cause” to make an arrest based on other observations. Once at the station, however, the breath test becomes legally required.

Is a DWI considered a criminal offense or a traffic violation in NJ?

In New Jersey, a DWI is technically categorized as a quasi-criminal traffic offense rather than a crime under the state’s criminal code. However, it still appears on your driving record, carries significant penalties, and can impact future employment or insurance rates.

Little Silver New Jersey DWI Arrest showing officers conducting field sobriety tests on Rumson Road.
Little Silver New Jersey DWI Arrest showing officers conducting field sobriety tests on Rumson Road.

Conclusion & Current Status

Following her processing, Ayres was released to a responsible adult, Rickey Brango, in accordance with “John’s Law”. This law requires that an intoxicated person be released to a sober individual who signs a potential liability form.

Ayres was issued multiple summonses and will face these charges in municipal court. Her vehicle was impounded for the mandatory 12-hour period following the arrest.

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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