On April 4, 2025 around 7:47 PM, Officer Steven DeJesus with the Township of Union Police Department was dispatched to a report of a motor vehicle accident in the area of 1601 Route 22 West. He arrived on scene and noticed that a black 2020 Honda Accord had struck silver 2003 Mercedes-Benz 320. He advised dispatch and exited this patrol car to make contact with the driver. He first approached the driver of the Honda Accord, and she was later identified as Natalia Baron. As he was speaking with Natalia, he observed a 6-pack of Corona beer on the passenger side floor board. The driver of the Mercedes-Benz, Artur Mariano, told Officer DeJesus that he was driving straight ahead and he slowed down as the traffic ahead of him was also slowing down. As Artur slowed down, he was struck from the rear by Natalia’s Honda Accord. Natalia was having trouble locating all her documents even when he returned to speak with her. Based on his suspicion of impairment, Natalia was asked to exit the vehicle and perform field sobriety exercises after Officer Matthew Fischetti arrived on scene to assist. Officer DeJesus first administered the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. During the HGN test, he observed the lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, and the onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. Natalia claimed that she was cold and that it would prevent her from performing additional field sobriety exercises. At this point, based on the motor vehicle crash, the odor of alcohol, her indicators of impairment, and the open containers inside her vehicle, Natalia was placed under arrest for operating under the influence. Her vehicle was impounded for a mandatory 12-hour hold under John’s Law. Natalia was initially transported to the Kean University Police Department to be searched. Natalia was then transported to the Township of Union Police Department for further processing. The Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators was read to her, and she eventually agreed to submit breath samples. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC level of 0.19%, which was more than double the legal limit of 0.08%. Once they finished processing her, Natalia was eventually released to her mother pending her court appearance after she signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Natalia’s behalf. Natalia was issued the following citations: -Operating under the influence underage (39:4-50.14) -Reckless driving (39:4-96) -Careless driving (39:4-97) -Open container (39:4-51B) Court records indicate that on March 5, 2026, Natalia was found guilty of operating under the influence. As a result of her conviction, Natalia had to use an ignition interlock device for 3 months, spend 12 hours at an intoxicated driver resource center, and pay a total of $383 in fines. The other 3 citations were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. ------------------------------------------ Please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and consider supporting this channel (email us for more information). Our content is shared for educational and news gathering purposes. We are in compliance with YouTube's Fair Use Policy because we edit several long clips into a concise story. This is similar to other law enforcement channels on YouTube. All videos and case documents were obtained pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. (P.L. 2024, c.16). Defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty. The New Jersey Supreme Court has previously affirmed in Salzano v. North Jersey Media Group, 993 A.2d 778 (2010) that “The fair-report privilege reflects the judgment that the need, in a self-governing society, for free-flowing information about matters of public interest outweighs concerns over the uncompensated injury to a person's reputation.” This video advances a compelling public interest. The summary of events was based on records that are “open to public view through open access to public records” as defined in the Salzano case. In Ramos v. Flowers, 429 N.J. Super. 13, the Appellate Division of the Superior Court has also affirmed the right to film law enforcement interactions.

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