JEFFERSON — At approximately 1:33 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, Jefferson Township Police Officer Robert Gaigano responded to a motor vehicle crash on Weldon Road near the campground area. A 2011 Toyota wagon had veered off the roadway, collided with a sign, and then struck a tree. Sgt. Coyle was first on the scene and found Isabel Opresnick, 26, Sparta, the sole occupant, uninjured but exhibiting signs of intoxication—slurred speech and fumbling hand movements.
When Officer Galgano arrived, he approached Isabel on the passenger side and asked for her license, registration, and insurance. Isabel struggled to locate the documents and needed assistance from Sgt. Coyle to retrieve them. Officer Galgano conducted pre-exit sobriety tests. Isabel confirmed she had a college-level education and understood English. She mumbled and spoke softly, making communication difficult.
She was asked to recite the alphabet from D to R, which she did correctly; however, she failed to count backward from 92 to 74 despite repeated instructions. Isabel exited the vehicle from the passenger side because the driver’s door was stuck, and immediately lost her balance upon standing.
Officers Fuehring arrived and conducted Standard Field Sobriety Testing. During the test, Isabel remarked that she had previously done the walk-and-turn test while sober. After failing the tests, Isabel was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated and transported in a patrol car with the prisoner compartment camera activated.
At Sparta Police Headquarters, Isabel began making vomiting sounds. Officer Schanstra of the Sparta Police Department was informed, and BLS (Basic Life Support) was requested. While waiting, Isabel lost consciousness multiple times, prompting medical attention.
Atlantic Health arrived on the scene, and Officer Gaigano rode in the back of the ambulance while Isabella was transported to Newton Medical Center.
Isabel was evaluated by medical staff and discharged shortly after due to her improved condition. Isabel was released from the hospital and returned to Officer Gaginano’s custody, placed in the rear prisoner compartment of his vehicle, and the rear prisoner camera was activated. Officer Merker and Officer Gaginano transported Isabel back to Sparta Police Department to provide breath samples.
Upon arrival at the Sparta Police Department, Officer Schanstra read the Statement of Miranda Rights to Isabel Opresnick, who acknowledged and signed the document indicating she understood her rights (see attached). Following this, Officer Schanstra inspected Isabel’s mouth for any foreign objects and found none. At 4:12 a.m., he began the mandatory 20-minute observation period.
During this observation period, Officer Schanstra read Isabel the New Jersey Attorney General’s Standard Statement and asked if she would provide breath samples for testing. Isabel responded, “no.” Officer Schanstra informed her that this response was unacceptable and advised that unless she answered “yes,” she would be charged with refusal. When asked again if she would provide breath samples, Isabel repeated her answer of “no.”
The observation period concluded at 4:18 a.m. Afterward, Officer Merker completed the Driving While Intoxicated Questionnaire with Isabel. Officer Schanstra then provided a copy of the MKIII-C Alcotest results.
Isabel was charged with the following summons:
• 39:4-50 – Operating under the influence
• 39:4-50.4a -Refusal to submit to chemical test, penalties
• 39:4-96 – Reckless driving
• 39:4-88 – Traffic on marked lanes
Ms. Opresnick was released to a responsible individual. Her vehicle was towed from the scene by Sars Auto.
Editor’s 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 a reasonable doubt.
