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Around 1:31 AM on April 2, 2023, Patrolman Jacob Sopko of the Ocean Township Police Department responded to the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving a 2018 Nissan Rogue in the vicinity of Deal Road and SR 35. As he approached the scene, he noticed that the vehicle had struck a JCP&L utility pole, and the vehicle appeared totaled. He made contact with the driver, 21-year-old Noely Estrella, who proceeded to tell him that she had just left work and she was tired.

Noely told Patrolman Sopko that she had left work at Olive Garden and she was headed home before she crashed her car. Her parents were en route to the scene of the crash. Patrolman Sopko informed dispatch that they should notify JCP&L regarding the utility pole, and proceeded to ask Noely if she had been drinking. Noely denied being under the influence, but based on the accident he asked her to perform field sobriety exercises.

The first field sobriety exercise was the recitation of the Alphabet test, and she did so in a mostly satisfactory manner, except for the last two letters. The second exercise was the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Noely failed to walk heel-to-toe, took 11 steps forward, and turned improperly, and took 9 steps back. On her second attempt, Noely took 12 steps forward and failed to stay on the line. The third exercise was the One Leg Stand test. During the One Leg Stand test, Noely failed to count out loud, swayed her arms for balance, and eventually placed her hands on the pavement before falling to the ground.

Based on the car crash and her inability to adequately complete the field sobriety exercises, Patrolman Sopko placed Noely under arrest for driving under the influence. A search of her vehicle revealed empty bottles of alcohol. Noely was transported by Patrolman Sopko to the Ocean Township Police Department. Patrolman Weinkofsky read Noely the Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators, and she agreed to provide breath samples. However, she did invoke her Miranda rights and refused to answer questions related to her arrest. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC of 0.141%, nearly double the legal limit of 0.08%.

After Noely was processed, she was released to her brother and father after her brother signed the Potential Liability Warning form on Noely’s behalf. Patrolman Sopko issued Noely the following summonses: Operating under the influence, reckless driving, careless driving, failure to maintain lane, and open container of alcohol.
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