“I don’t think my balance is as good as it should be,” Smita Phansalkar told officers during a midnight St. Charles DUI Arrest that ended with her being escorted away in handcuffs.
The incident unfolded in the early hours of January 18, 2025, in St. Charles, Illinois, when a silver Honda Fit caught the eye of a patrolling officer for all the wrong reasons.
What started as a report of an intoxicated subject entering a vehicle quickly turned into a high-stakes traffic stop on the 2500 block of East Main Street.
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Watch: St. Charles DUI Arrest Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:03:22 in the transcript where the officer confronts the driver about almost striking a curb, marking the moment the investigation shifts from a simple stop to a criminal inquiry.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The drama began at 1:53 AM when Officer Nicholson spotted a silver hatchback swerving “like a pinball” between lanes on East Main Street.
According to police reports, the vehicle nearly collided with a stationary work truck that had its flashing lights on, only swerving into the left lane at the last second.
When Officer Nicholson finally pulled the vehicle over, he encountered 66-year-old Smita S. Phansalkar.
The officer immediately noted several red flags: her eyes were watery, and the distinct odor of alcohol was “emitting from her breath”.
Phansalkar admitted to drinking two “pints of beer” at a show earlier that night, claiming her last drink was around midnight.
The situation escalated on the sidewalk as Phansalkar attempted three Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs):
- HGN Test: Officers observed 4 out of 6 clues, including sustained nystagmus (involuntary eye jerking).
- Walk and Turn: Phansalkar struggled significantly, failing 7 out of 8 criteria. She could not keep her balance during instructions and took 21 steps down instead of the requested nine.
- One Leg Stand: She swayed “back and forth almost falling” and had to put her foot down multiple times.
By 2:19 AM, the officer had seen enough and placed her under arrest.
The Arrest: Charges Against Smita S. Phansalkar
Following the St. Charles DUI Arrest, Phansalkar was transported to the station where she provided a breath sample. The results showed a Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC) of .099—well above the legal limit of .08.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| 625 ILCS 5.0/11-501-A-2 | Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol | Up to 1 year in jail; fines up to $2,500. |
| 625 ILCS 5.0/11-501-A-1 | Driving with a BAC of .08 or more | License suspension; possible vehicle impoundment. |
| 625 ILCS 5.0/11-709 | Improper Lane Usage | Fines and points on driving record. |
Legal Analysis: Was the St. Charles DUI Arrest Justified?
From a legal perspective, the Fourth Amendment requires “reasonable suspicion” for a traffic stop. Officer Nicholson’s observations of the vehicle swerving and nearly striking a curb likely meet this threshold.
The subsequent “probable cause” for the arrest was built through a combination of physical observations (watery eyes, odor of alcohol), the suspect’s own admission of drinking, and the failed field sobriety tests.
One interesting note: the officer admitted his Body Worn Camera (BWC) did not trigger automatically with his lights, requiring him to turn it on manually. While this can sometimes create “gaps” in evidence, the subsequent recording and the .099 breathalyzer result provide a strong foundation for the prosecution.
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five frequently asked questions regarding the administrative and logistical aspects of this incident that are related to the specific criminal charges
What happens to a vehicle after a DUI arrest in St. Charles?
In this case, the vehicle was towed by a private company, Chad’s Towing. Under Illinois state law, the vehicle must be held for a mandatory period of 12 hours following a DUI arrest.
How does a suspect get home if their car is impounded?
If the suspect cannot find a private party to pick them up, they may use a rideshare service. In this specific instance, the reporting officer escorted the subject to the police department lobby where she was picked up by an Uber.
What personal property is a suspect allowed to keep during transport?
Standard procedure typically involves the officer checking the suspect for weapons or contraband before transport. For this incident, the officer allowed the suspect to take her phone and a bag from the vehicle, which were placed in the patrol car for her.
Why might a police officer’s camera fail to record the initial stop?
Technical issues can occur; in this report, the officer noted that the Body Worn Camera (BWC) and Squad camera did not automatically activate with the emergency lights. The officer had to manually activate the cameras, which incidentally caused the squad camera to turn off temporarily.
Where are court hearings for St. Charles Police Department arrests usually held?
While the arrest and processing take place at the local police station, the legal proceedings are moved to the county level. This subject was given a court date at the Kane County Judicial Center.
Conclusion & Current Status
Smita Phansalkar was processed and later released on a Notice to Appear (NTA) after surrendering her driver’s license. Her silver Honda Fit was impounded by Chad’s Towing for a mandatory 12-hour hold per state law.
She is scheduled to appear at the Kane County Judicial Center on February 19, 2025, at 1:30 PM.
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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