State v Gonzalez DWI affirmed where driver slumped behind wheel

State v Gonzalez DWI affirmed where driver slumped behind wheel Defendant appealed his DWI conviction and sentence. Witness reported car was stopped at a light, did not move when light changed and driver appeared to be slumped over the wheel. Officers found defendant asleep in the driver's seat, car was in gear and defendant had his foot on the brake. Officers managed to wake defendant up and the car lurched forward, almost striking officer. Officers detected a strong odor of alcohol, noticed defendant had a flushed face and watery eyes and video showed him swaying as he exited the vehicle. Defendant alleged a leg injury prevented him from performing some of the field sobriety tests and he failed to follow the instructions for the "alphabet test." Officers administered an Alcotest breath test at the police station following defendant's arrest. Municipal court denied defendant's motion to suppress the Alcotest results and found defendant guilty. Law Division rejected defendant's claim that police did not have probable cause to arrest him. Court agreed there was probable cause to arrest defendant and to convict him based on witness's observations alone, Alcotest was properly administered and he was not entitled to be sentenced under the amendment. Source https://www.law.com/njlawjournal/almI...