MORRIS COUNTY – A late-night crash on Franklin Road in Denville led to the arrest of 19-year-old Araceli Huaman for driving while intoxicated (DWI) under the legal drinking age, according to the Denville Township Police Department.
Incident Overview
On Sunday, January 26, at approximately 2:02 a.m., officers responded to a motor vehicle crash involving two vehicles on Franklin Road. According to Denville Police Officer Kevin Pasino, Huaman was operating a 2008 Honda Accord when she crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan, driven by Kenneth A. Hubschman.
No injuries were reported, but both vehicles sustained damage. Huaman admitted to officers that she briefly fell asleep while driving, which led to her veering into the wrong lane.
Investigation and Field Sobriety Tests
Upon speaking with Huaman, officers detected signs of intoxication and conducted a series of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). During the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, she exhibited a lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, along with distinct nystagmus at maximum deviation.
In the walk-and-turn test, Huaman failed to count her steps out loud, raised her arms for balance, took only eight steps instead of nine, and performed an improper turn. During the one-leg stand test, she failed to focus on her toe.
Huaman admitted to consuming a Four Loko alcoholic beverage about an hour and a half prior to the crash, claiming she had stopped drinking because she was the designated driver. When questioned about her age, she stated she was nineteen years old.
Breathalyzer Results and Arrest
Huaman was placed under arrest for underage DWI and transported to the Denville Township Police Headquarters for processing. A breathalyzer test conducted revealed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.07%, which is below the legal limit for individuals over 21 but constitutes a violation under New Jersey’s underage DWI laws (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.14).
Charges and Court Appearance
Huaman was charged with the following offenses:
- DWI – Underage Violator (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.14)
- Reckless Driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-96)
- Careless Driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-97)
- Failure to Maintain Lane (N.J.S.A. 39:4-88)
- Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle (N.J.S.A. 39:4-51B)
Huaman was later released into the custody of a friend who signed a liability form. She is scheduled to appear in Denville Township Municipal Court on February 20, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
Officer’s Statement
Officer Kevin J. Pisano, who conducted the arrest, noted that body-worn camera footage was reviewed and uploaded as evidence.
Editors Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
