Westfield, NJ — A routine traffic stop turned dangerous when a Westfield NJ Teacher DWI Arrest incident unfolded just after midnight on January 19, 2025. Police bodycam footage and official reports reveal a harrowing near-miss where a local educator allegedly drove her Jeep down the shoulder of the road, nearly striking a parked patrol vehicle.
The suspect, identified as Dawn Ogrady, is a 43-year-old teacher employed by Linden Public Schools. What started as a dangerous driving maneuver quickly spiraled into a failed roadside sobriety test and multiple charges.
Table of Contents
Watch: Westfield NJ Teacher DWI Arrest Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:04:06 in the transcript. This is the moment the suspect realizes the gravity of her situation and pleads, “Oh, my God, I’m a teacher.”
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The Near Miss
The incident began at approximately 12:23 AM on West North Avenue. Westfield Police officers were already conducting an unrelated traffic stop when they noticed a white 2017 Jeep Wagon traveling westbound.
According to the police report, the Jeep was driving directly on the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was heading straight for the rear of Sergeant Desiato’s patrol car.
The situation was critical. The report states the driver appeared to ignore hand signals and verbal commands to stop. Fearing a collision, Sergeant Desiato rushed the vehicle and banged his closed fist on the hood to get the driver’s attention.
The Confrontation
The driver, identified as Dawn Ogrady, finally stopped. When officers approached, they immediately detected the odor of alcohol. When asked if she had been drinking, Ogrady reportedly replied, “Yes”.
In the bodycam transcript, officers can be heard asking her where she was coming from. Ogrady admitted she was coming from “Riverside” in Cranford.
“I’m a Teacher”
As officers began the investigation, Ogrady’s behavior became erratic. She moved slowly and appeared confused. During the interaction, she repeatedly referenced her profession.
“Look at him. Teacher, this is terrible,” she is recorded saying in the transcript. Moments later, she exclaimed, “Oh, my God, I’m a teacher”.
The Field Sobriety Tests
The Westfield NJ Teacher DWI Arrest escalated when officers asked Ogrady to perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests on the sidewalk.
- The Alphabet Test: Ogrady was asked to recite the alphabet from B to Y. She struggled to recall the letters and stopped after ‘G’, stating she was nervous.
- The Walk and Turn: Officers demonstrated the test, but Ogrady reportedly swayed and could not keep her balance. She stepped off the line and raised her arms, failing to follow instructions.
- The One-Leg Stand: Ogrady claimed she had an ankle issue. She attempted to lift her leg but dropped it after ten seconds.
The Arrest: Charges Against Dawn Ogrady
Following the failed tests, Ogrady was taken into custody. She faces several serious motor vehicle summonses.
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| 39:4-50 | Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). Operating a vehicle under the influence. | License suspension, fines, potential jail time. |
| 39:4-50.4A | Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test. Refusing the breathalyzer at the station. | Automatic license revocation (typically 7 months to 1 year in NJ). |
| 39:4-96 | Reckless Driving. Driving with willful disregard for safety. | Points on license, fines, potential jail. |
| 39:4-97 | Careless Driving. Driving without due caution. | Fines, points on license. |
| 39:4-91 | Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicles. Not stopping for police lights. | Fines, points on license. |
| 39:4-88 | Traffic On Marked Lanes. Unsafe lane changes or driving on the shoulder. | Fines, points on license. |
Legal Analysis: Was the Westfield NJ Teacher DWI Arrest Justified?
Fourth Amendment Check: The Stop
In this Westfield NJ Teacher DWI Arrest, the probable cause for the stop appears strong. Police did not pull Ogrady over at random. The report indicates she was driving on the shoulder and nearly struck a police vehicle that had its overhead lights activated. This is a clear violation of traffic laws and justifies an immediate stop for safety.
The “Refusal” Charge
One of the most damaging charges Ogrady faces is the “Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test”. In New Jersey, driving is a privilege, not a right. Under “Implied Consent” laws, drivers agree to breath testing if arrested for DWI.
At the station, Ogrady allegedly failed to provide a proper breath sample multiple times, coughing and claiming medical issues. Officers viewed this as a refusal. This charge often carries mandatory license suspensions independent of the DWI charge itself.
[Read more Evidence Decode investigations here]
5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) connected to the charges and circumstances found in the Dawn Ogrady case
Can a teacher lose their license for a DWI arrest outside of school hours?
Yes, it is possible. While a simple traffic violation might not jeopardize a career, a DWI conviction or criminal charge can trigger a review by the school district or the State Board of Education. Teachers are often held to a “moral turpitude” standard. In this case, the suspect repeatedly identified herself as a teacher, likely fearing this exact consequence.
What qualifies as a “Refusal to Submit” to a breathalyzer?
In New Jersey, you do not have to verbally say “no” to be charged with Refusal (39:4-50.4A). If a driver agrees to take the test but fails to provide a sufficient breath sample—by coughing, stopping early, or “faking” the blow—officers can mark it as a refusal. In the report, the officer noted the suspect “coughed repeatedly” and failed to provide a sample despite claiming she understood the instructions.
What is “John’s Law” mentioned in police reports?
You might see the term “per John’s Law” in arrest narratives. This New Jersey law allows police to impound a vehicle for up to 12 hours if the driver is arrested for DWI. Its purpose is to prevent the intoxicated person from immediately accessing their car and driving again upon release. This explains why the suspect’s Jeep was towed even though she was released to a responsible adult later that night.
Can anxiety or “nerves” cause you to fail a Field Sobriety Test?
Suspects often claim nervousness affects their performance. For example, during the Alphabet Test, the suspect stated she was “nervous” and could not remember the letters past ‘G’. However, police are trained to look for specific “clues” of impairment that go beyond nerves, such as the inability to follow instructions, swaying while standing still, or starting the test before being told to do so.
Is it illegal to drive on the shoulder to pass traffic?
Yes, driving on the shoulder is a violation of Traffic On Marked Lanes (39:4-88). It is dangerous because the shoulder is reserved for emergencies and disabled vehicles. In this incident, the suspect was observed traveling on the shoulder directly toward a patrol car that already had its emergency lights activated, leading to a charge of Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicles (39:4-91).
Conclusion & Current Status
Dawn Ogrady was processed at Westfield Police Headquarters. According to the report, she was eventually released to a sober adult, identified as Daniel Diaz, who signed a potential liability form.
Her vehicle, a White Jeep, was impounded under “John’s Law,” which mandates a 12-hour hold on vehicles involved in DWI arrests. Ogrady is scheduled to appear in Westfield Municipal Court.
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