The Paige Koff Westfield DUI Arrest began with a series of frantic 911 calls and ended with a barefoot woman attempting “tree pose” in the middle of a New Jersey street. On a Monday evening in Westfield, NJ, police were alerted to a dark red Land Rover “driving all over the road” before the driver was found slumped over her steering wheel.
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The “Refrigerator” Registration: A Bizarre Traffic Stop
When Ptl. Christian Albanese arrived at the intersection of Munsee Way and Minisink Way, he found 44-year-old Paige Koff behind the wheel of a 2024 Land Rover Defender. Her brake lights were on, the car was in drive, and she was reportedly making “erratic hand movements.”
Once stopped, the interaction took a surreal turn. Koff was partially dressed, wearing only jeans and a bra, and was completely barefoot. When the officer asked for her registration, she looked at him and said, “The registration, like, is ridiculous right now… It’s a refrigerator.”
From Steaks to Field Sobriety: The Investigation
Koff told officers she was just two minutes from home and had been out to buy steaks for dinner. Despite the Paige Koff Westfield DUI Arrest unfolding around her, she began to giggle repeatedly while speaking with a slurred, stuttering speech.
The situation escalated when Officer Bagan spotted a small plastic bag of pills in plain view on the back seat. Koff reacted by abruptly throwing open the trunk of her vehicle. Officers noted she was struggling to balance, frequently leaning against her Land Rover to stay upright.
Watch: Paige Koff Westfield DUI Arrest Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:22:42:11 where the situation escalates as Koff realizes she is being placed under arrest and begins to plead with officers.
During the field sobriety tests, Koff’s behavior remained erratic. While attempting the One Leg Stand, she exclaimed, “Oh God, tree pose!” and began waving her arms. When she failed to maintain her balance, she snapped at the officer, asking, “What fucking 43-year-old woman can do that though?”
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The Paige Koff Westfield DUI Arrest involved multiple units as police grew concerned for children Koff claimed were at home alone. “You can’t do this, I have two kids that are very important to me,” she told officers after being handcuffed.
Sgt. Gill rushed to her residence on Mountain Avenue to check on their welfare. Fortunately, it was discovered that the children were actually away at summer camp, contradicting Koff’s statements at the scene.
The Arrest: Charges Against Paige Koff
Koff was transported to WPD Headquarters, where she refused to provide a breath sample for testing. She later admitted to consuming a glass of wine earlier that day in Montville, NJ.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| N.J.S.A 39:4-50 | Driving While Intoxicated | License suspension, fines, and possible jail time. |
| N.J.S.A 39:4-50.4A | Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test | Mandatory license suspension and heavy surcharges. |
| N.J.S.A 39:4-96 | Reckless Driving | Fines and points on driving record. |
| N.J.S.A 39:4-97 | Careless Driving | Fines and points on driving record. |
Legal Analysis: Was the Paige Koff Westfield DUI Arrest Justified?
From a legal perspective, the Paige Koff Westfield DUI Arrest followed strict protocol.
- Fourth Amendment Check: The initial stop was supported by “Reasonable Suspicion” following two independent 911 calls regarding a reckless driver and a driver asleep at the wheel.
- Plain View Doctrine: The search of the vehicle was initiated after Officer Bagan saw a bag of pills in “plain view” from outside the vehicle. Under New Jersey law, this allows officers to search the immediate area for further intoxicants.
- Miranda Rights: Officers recorded that Koff was advised of her rights and stated she understood them before questioning continued.
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five frequently asked questions related to the legal and procedural aspects of this case:
What happens if a driver refuses to provide a breath sample in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, under the “Implied Consent” law, any person who operates a motor vehicle is deemed to have given consent to a breath test to determine blood alcohol content. Refusing to submit to this test typically results in a separate criminal charge, which often carries penalties as severe as a DUI conviction itself, including mandatory license suspension.
Can a driver be arrested for DUI even if the “pills” found in their car turn out to be vitamins?
Yes, because a DUI arrest is based on the officer’s “probable cause” regarding the driver’s impairment at the time of the stop. Even if discovered substances are later proven to be harmless supplements, an arrest can remain valid if the driver failed field sobriety tests or exhibited physical signs of intoxication, such as slurred speech or lack of balance.
Why do police check on a suspect’s home if children are mentioned during an arrest?
Officers have a legal “duty of care” to ensure the safety of minors if a suspect claims they are left unattended. In this case, even though the suspect provided conflicting information, a sergeant was dispatched to the residence to perform a welfare check to confirm no children were in danger.
Is it legal for an officer to search a vehicle based on items seen through the window?
Under the “Plain View Doctrine,” if an officer is legally present at a traffic stop and sees incriminating evidence (like a bag of unidentified pills) in open view, they are generally permitted to conduct a search of the vehicle without a warrant.
What is “John’s Law” regarding the towing of vehicles?
“John’s Law” is a New Jersey statute that allows or requires police to impound the vehicle of an individual arrested for Driving While Intoxicated for a specific period (usually 12 hours). This is intended to prevent the individual from being released and immediately getting back behind the wheel while still potentially impaired.
Conclusion & Current Status
Following her processing at Westfield Police Headquarters, Paige Koff was released to the custody of her husband, Zachary Koff. The “suspicious” pills found in the car were later identified as non-intoxicating vitamin supplements and returned to her.
Koff is scheduled to appear in Westfield Municipal Court on August 19, 2025, to answer for the five summonses issued during the stop.
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 and transcriptions of the incident.
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