New Jersey DWI Bodycam footage recently released by the Highlands Police Department captures a bizarre and dangerous traffic stop that escalated quickly.
On the night of November 14, 2025, officers in Highlands, New Jersey, spotted a black Jeep swerving dangerously across State Highway Route 36. What started as a routine traffic violation turned into a major DUI investigation involving a staggering 0.181 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), open containers, and a confusing amount of raw ground beef.
This case highlights the severe reality of drunk driving and the meticulous work police perform to keep roads safe.
Table of Contents
Watch: New Jersey DWI Bodycam Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:05:06 where the suspect struggles to comprehend the simple instructions for the Walk and Turn test.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The incident began late on a Friday night. At approximately 11:27 PM, Sgt. McGrath of the Highlands Police Department noticed a black 2016 Jeep failing to maintain its lane while crossing the Highlands/Sea Bright Bridge.
According to the official police report, the vehicle was drifting over the solid white line on the shoulder. As the driver attempted to turn into a Quickchek gas station, the situation became dangerous. The Jeep struck tree branches and limbs that were lying well off the roadway.
Sgt. McGrath activated his overhead lights. The driver, identified as 34-year-old Melodie Werner, pulled into the parking lot and stopped near the gas pumps.
The Initial Confrontation
When the officer approached the window, the signs of impairment were immediate. The report notes that Werner’s eyes were bloodshot and watery. A strong odor of alcohol poured from the vehicle.
“Listen, the reason why I’m stopping you is… when you came over the bridge, you were over the white line,” the officer explained.
When asked how much she had to drink, Werner gave a common answer: “I had a beer… then in the night”. She insisted, “My license is fine”.
However, the officer wasn’t convinced. He noted her slurred speech and decided to investigate further.
The “One Beer” Defense and Field Sobriety Tests
Sgt. McGrath asked Werner to step out of the vehicle to perform Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). This is where the New Jersey DWI Bodycam footage becomes critical evidence.
1. Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN)
The officer checked her eyes for involuntary jerking, known as nystagmus. Werner displayed a “lack of smooth pursuit” and distinct jerking at maximum deviation. The officer recorded 6 out of 6 possible clues of impairment.
2. The Walk and Turn
The situation deteriorated during the physical tests. Werner struggled to maintain the starting position, forcing the officer to reset her multiple times.
When she finally began the test, she took 10 steps instead of the instructed nine, missed touching her heel to her toe, and raised her arms for balance. Confused, she asked the officer to explain it again.
On her second attempt, she turned in the wrong direction and missed her steps again.
3. The One Leg Stand
The final test required Werner to stand on one leg and count. She put her foot down early at the count of six.
When she tried to continue, her counting became erratic: “1011, 1012, 1013, 1012, 1014,” confusing the numbers and going backward.
Based on these failures, Sgt. McGrath made the decision. “I think based on your tests and your driving, that you should not be operating a motor vehicle,” he told her.
The Discovery: Alcohol and Wedding Meat
After placing Werner under arrest, officers conducted a search of her vehicle under “John’s Law,” which allows police to impound the car of a drunk driver.
What they found confirmed their suspicions. Inside her bag were two empty “Beatbox” flavored alcoholic beverages with 11% alcohol content, along with one open and one unopened Surfside canned cocktail.
But they found something else on the front seat: 20 pounds of uncooked ground meat.
“Did you notice the… meat on the passenger seat?” the officer asked his partner.
Werner explained that she had just come from work at a wedding venue. “Today was the last wedding… the last of the season so they’re giving away,” she said.
In a moment of community policing, the officers worried the food would spoil. “I don’t want to see it go bad on you,” the officer said. They agreed to take the meat back to the station and put it in the police fridge until she was released.
The Arrest: Charges Against Melodie Werner
The New Jersey DWI Bodycam incident resulted in serious legal consequences. At the station, Werner provided breath samples which yielded a 0.181 BAC—more than double the legal limit of 0.08.
She was processed and released to a sober party.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (NJ) |
| 39:4-50 DWI | Driving While Intoxicated (Alcohol) | License suspension, fines, potential jail time. |
| 39:4-96 | Reckless Driving | Additional points on license, fines, possible imprisonment. |
| 39:4-518 | Open Container of Alcohol in MV | Fine for having open alcohol in the car. |
| 39:4-88 | Marked Lanes | Fine for unsafe lane changes or swerving. |
| Refusal (Warned) | Refusing a breath test (She complied) | She submitted to the test, avoiding this extra charge. |
Legal Analysis: Was the New Jersey DWI Bodycam Arrest Justified?
Probable Cause for the Stop
The initial stop appears legally sound. Officers observed a specific motor vehicle violation: failing to maintain a lane (N.J.S.A. 39:4-88). The fact that the driver struck tree debris on the side of the road further solidified the Reasonable Suspicion needed to effectuate the traffic stop.
Search Incident to Arrest
The search of the vehicle was conducted under the automobile exception and inventory procedures related to impoundment. Under New Jersey’s “John’s Law,” police must impound the vehicle of a driver arrested for DWI to prevent them from driving it for 12 hours.
The discovery of the empty 11% ABV drinks creates a direct link between the open containers and the high BAC reading.
Miranda and Breath Testing
The report indicates strict adherence to protocol. Sgt. McGrath read the Miranda Warning and the NJ Attorney General Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators. Werner verbally consented to the breath samples (“Yeah”), which is crucial for the admissibility of the 0.181 BAC result.
[Read more Evidence Decode investigations here]
5 FAQs in that are connected to the charges and procedures mentioned in the case
What is “John’s Law” in New Jersey and why was the car impounded?
John’s Law (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.22) allows law enforcement to impound the vehicle of a driver arrested for DWI for up to 12 hours. The law is designed to prevent the arrested individual from immediately accessing their vehicle and driving again while still intoxicated, ensuring public safety.
Is it legal to transport open alcohol if it is kept in a bag or the back seat?
In New Jersey, having an open container of alcohol in the main cabin of the vehicle is generally illegal, regardless of whether it is in a bag or held by a passenger. To legally transport an open container (like a re-corked bottle of wine), it must be stored in the trunk or behind the last upright seat if the vehicle has no trunk.
Can a driver legally refuse Field Sobriety Tests (like the Walk and Turn)?
While New Jersey’s “Implied Consent” law requires drivers to submit to breath testing, Field Sobriety Tests (FSTs) are technically voluntary. However, refusing them does not prevent an arrest; officers can still arrest a driver based on other observations, such as erratic driving, the smell of alcohol, or slurred speech.
Why are drivers often charged with “Reckless Driving” alongside a DWI?
Police often issue a Reckless Driving citation (N.J.S.A. 39:4-96) in conjunction with a DWI because driving while intoxicated is inherently considered a “willful or wanton disregard” for the safety of others. It acts as a companion charge that covers the dangerous behavior caused by the intoxication.
How does a BAC of 0.18% change the potential penalties compared to the 0.08% limit?
New Jersey has tiered penalties for DWI. A BAC of 0.10% or higher is considered a higher tier than the standard 0.08% limit. A high reading like 0.18% can lead to longer license suspensions (7 to 12 months for a first offense) and the mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device for a longer period.
Conclusion & Current Status
Melodie Werner was charged and released to a responsible party pending her court date at Highlands Municipal Court. The 20 pounds of wedding meat was safely stored in the police refrigerator, ensuring it didn’t spoil during her processing.
This New Jersey DWI Bodycam case serves as a stark reminder: even a short drive after “one beer” (or several 11% beverages) can lead to a criminal record, a suspended license, and a viral news story.
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.
Don’t Rely on Their Word Alone In this case, conflicting stories led to an arrest. The only way to prove your innocence in a traffic stop is with your own 4K evidence. Protect yourself this holiday season. 🎄 Click Here