Middletown NJ DWI Bodycam footage captures the chaotic arrest of a driver who swerved into an elementary school, claimed she was “legally blind,” and later slipped out of her handcuffs twice at police headquarters.
The incident unfolded on a dark January morning in Middletown, New Jersey. Officer E. Jennings noticed a white Honda Civic driving erratically on Highway 36. What started as a standard traffic stop quickly spiraled into a bizarre sequence of events involving failed sobriety tests, confusing statements about the internet, and a suspect who refused to stay handcuffed.
This Middletown NJ DWI Bodycam video offers a rare glimpse into the challenges officers face when dealing with highly impaired drivers.
Table of Contents
Watch: Middletown NJ DWI Bodycam Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:11:18 where the officer attempts to explain the “One Leg Stand” test, and the driver confuses it with a “one night stand.”
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The situation began just after 2:00 AM on January 29, 2023. Officer Jennings watched as a vehicle sped out of Thompson Avenue, swerving across white and yellow lines. The car eventually pulled abruptly into the Port Monmouth Elementary School parking lot.
“My Future is Online”
When the officer approached the window, the driver, identified as Mikala Minix, seemed disoriented. Officers noted a strong smell of alcohol coming from the vehicle. When asked for her credentials, the conversation took a strange turn.
“I’m literally online,” Minix told the officer. When asked for her registration again, she replied, “Well, my future is online”.
The “Legally Blind” Defense
Officer K. Ross arrived to conduct Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). Before starting the eye test, Officer Ross asked about vision problems.
“I’m legally blind,” Minix stated, claiming her vision was “negative seven and negative six”. despite this claim, she had been driving moments earlier.
The “One Night Stand” Mix-up
The Middletown NJ DWI Bodycam audio captures a moment of confusion during the physical tests. Officer Ross attempted to explain the “One Leg Stand” test.
“The second test is gonna be a one night stand,” the officer accidentally said, correcting himself immediately, or perhaps repeating what he thought she heard.
Minix struggled to follow instructions throughout. During the counting portion, instead of counting by thousands, she counted, “1000 to 1000 through 1000”.
Escaping the Cuffs
The drama didn’t end at the scene. After being arrested and transported to headquarters, Minix became uncooperative. According to the police report, she managed to slip her hand out of her handcuffs not once, but twice. She also refused to provide breath samples, asking officers, “Do I have a choice?”.
The Arrest: Charges Against Mikala Minix
Following the Middletown NJ DWI Bodycam incident, Minix faced multiple serious charges.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (NJ) |
| DWI (39:4-50) | Driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. | License suspension, fines, potential jail time. |
| Refusal (39:4-50.4a) | Refusing to take the breathalyzer test. | Automatic license revocation (7mo – 1yr), fines. |
| Reckless Driving (39:4-96) | Driving with willful disregard for safety. | Up to 60 days jail, fines, points on license. |
| Careless Driving (39:4-97) | Driving without due caution (less severe than reckless). | Fines, points on license. |
| Failure to Maintain Lane (39:4-88) | Drifting out of the driving lane. | Fines, points. |
| Failure to Signal (39:4-126) | Turning without using a blinker. | Fines. |
Legal Analysis: Was the Middletown NJ DWI Bodycam Arrest Justified?
Probable Cause for the Stop
The initial stop appears legally sound. The Middletown NJ DWI Bodycam report documents specific traffic infractions: speeding, swerving across marked lanes, and turning without a signal. In New Jersey, any one of these is sufficient “reasonable suspicion” to pull a driver over.
Field Sobriety Testing
Officer Ross utilized standard National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests: the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk and Turn, and One Leg Stand.
- HGN: The officer noted “lack of smooth pursuit” in her eyes, a biological indicator of impairment that a subject cannot fake.
- Instruction Failure: Minix could not maintain the starting position and started too early. These are standard “clues” of impairment.
The Refusal
New Jersey is an “Implied Consent” state. This means by driving on NJ roads, you agree to submit to breath testing if arrested for DWI. Minix asked, “Do I have a choice?”. Legally, you can physically refuse, but the penalties (as seen in the charges) are severe and often equal to or worse than the DWI conviction itself.
[Read more Evidence Decode investigations here]
5 FAQs that are connected to the charges and events
Can I legally refuse a breathalyzer test in New Jersey?
New Jersey is an “Implied Consent” state. By simply driving on NJ roads, you have legally agreed to submit to breath testing if arrested for DWI. While you can physically refuse, doing so results in a separate charge (Refusal 39:4-50.4a). This often carries penalties—including license suspension and fines—that are equal to or sometimes worse than the DWI charge itself.
Do vision problems like being “legally blind” invalidate Field Sobriety Tests?
Not necessarily. Officers are trained to ask about medical conditions before testing. While poor vision might affect balance tests, the HGN test checks for involuntary jerking of the eyes (nystagmus). This physiological reaction is caused by alcohol impairment and generally cannot be faked or caused solely by poor visual acuity.
What is “John’s Law,” and why can police hold you for 12 hours?
“John’s Law” is a New Jersey statute allowing police to impound a DWI suspect’s car for 12 hours. Furthermore, if the suspect cannot find a responsible sober adult to sign them out, police have the authority to detain them for up to 12 hours for their own safety and the safety of the public.
What is the difference between “Reckless” and “Careless” Driving?
The main difference is intent. Careless Driving is driving without due caution (negligence), often resulting in a fine and points. Reckless Driving is more serious and implies a “willful or wanton disregard” for the safety of others. Officers often issue both citations in DWI cases to cover the erratic behaviors observed, such as swerving across lines.
Can I be pulled over just for touching the lane lines?
Yes. Under the “Failure to Maintain Lane” statute (39:4-88), drivers are required to stay entirely within a single lane. You do not need to crash or drive off the road to be stopped; simply drifting over the marked lines—especially repeatedly or at high speeds—provides officers with sufficient “reasonable suspicion” to initiate a traffic stop and investigate for impairment.
Conclusion & Current Status
The Middletown NJ DWI Bodycam footage serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired driving. Mikala Minix was processed and eventually released to a friend after her 12-hour hold or once a responsible party could claim her (though initial attempts to find a ride failed).
This case highlights how quickly a “night out with friends” can turn into a life-altering legal battle involving multiple summonses and a permanent criminal record.
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 from Incident 23MT03913.
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