Around 10:48 PM on February 24, 2024, Officer Michael Puskas with the Hanover Township Police Department responded to 235 Ridgedale Avenue on a report of a female slumped over the wheel inside her vehicle. He arrived on scene and noticed that a female was asleep behind the wheel of a white 2021 Toyota Camry. He noticed fresh damages to the vehicle on the rear driver’s side and vomit on the driver side door. He eventually opened the door and made contact with the driver, who was later identified as 23-year-old Alejna Kaba. Alejna said that she was waiting for her parents to arrive on scene. When he asked her where she was coming from, she told Officer Puskas that she was “doing Instacart” in the Bloomingdale and Wanaque areas. She could not recall if she had crashed into anything, but she admitted to consuming alcohol earlier that evening and showed him an empty can of Mai Tai. Based on his suspicion of impairment, Alejna was asked to perform field sobriety exercises after additional officers arrived on scene to assist. The first exercise was the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test. During the HGN test, Officer Puskas observed the lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, and the onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. The second exercise was the Walk and Turn test. During the Walk and Turn test, Alejna failed to touch heel-to-toe on each step and turned improperly. The final exercise was the One Leg Stand test. During the One Leg Stand test, Alejna failed to raise her foot in the proper fashion and put her foot down multiple times before the test was complete. Based on her indicators of impairment, the odor of alcohol, and her inability to satisfactorily complete the field sobriety exercises, Alejna was placed under arrest for DWI. A search of her vehicle incident to arrest yielded the presence of multiple open containers. Her vehicle was impounded for a 12-hour hold according to John’s Law. The Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators was read to her in the patrol car, and she agreed to submit breath samples. Officer Puskas then transported Alejna to the nearby Florham Park Police Department for the administration of the breath test. Her Alcotest results indicated a BAC level of 0.14%, which was nearly double legal limit of 0.08%. Alejna was then transported to the Hanover Township Police Department for further processing. After they finished processing her, Alejna was released to her father pending her court appearance after he signed the Potential Liability Warning form on her behalf. Officer Prager issued Alejna the following citations: -Operating under the influence (39:5-50) -Reckless driving (39:4-96) -Consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle (39:4-51A) -Open container (39:4-51B) -Failure to report an accident (39:4-130) -Leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage (39:4-129B) On September 23, 2024, Alejna’s citation of operating under the influence was dismissed. Instead, she pleaded guilty to reckless driving and open container. As a result of her convictions, Alejna had to pay a total of $430 in fines. The other 3 citations were also 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. 2001, c. 404). 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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