State v. N. M.
State v. N. M. (charged with 39:4-50 (DWI), 39:4-88b (unsafe lane change), 39:4-96 (reckless driving), 39:4-97 (careless driving), 39:4-85 (improper passing).
DWI, unsafe lane change, careless driving, and improper passing were all DISMISSED. Guilty of reckless driving.
On April 8, 2023, a motorist travelling on the Garden State Parkway was stopped by the New Jersey State Police for an unsafe Lane change. As the trooper approached the driver’s side window, the trooper noted a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from the vehicle. The trooper questioned the driver on where he was coming from and if he had anything to drink before getting into his vehicle. The motorist replied that he had consumed one beer and one shot of BlackBerry brandy. The trooper further noted that the driver’s eyes were watery and bloodshot. Given the observations, the trooper requested the driver step out of his vehicle to perform various field sobriety tests. As the driver was exiting his vehicle, the driver indicated to the investigating trooper that he was suffering from a brain injury.
According to the trooper, the driver could not carry out the requested field sobriety test. Hence, the trooper placed the motorist under arrest for suspicion of driving his vehicle under the influence of alcohol. At the New Jersey State Police Station, the driver submitted to breath-testing, resulting in a 0.14 BAC reading. After 8 months of litigation, The DWI, careless driving, unsafe lane change and improper passing tickets were ALL dismissed. The motorist pled guilty to driving his vehicle recklessly, which resulted in a fine. The court did not impose a loss of driving privileges.
Dan T. Matrafajlo, Esq. is the Managing Member and Lead Partner at Beninato & Matrafajlo, Attorneys at Law, LLC, a New Jersey-based personal injury law firm with offices in Elizabeth and East Brunswick. With over two decades of experience representing clients in complex matters—including motor vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation, and wrongful death cases—he has recovered over $100 million on behalf of his clients and is known for securing significant results. He has also helped shape New Jersey personal injury law through notable Appellate Division decisions such as Hardison v. King and Frenklakh v. Lojek, with his litigation work featured in the New Jersey Law Journal, underscoring his authority in the field.
Mr. Matrafajlo was recognized as a Super Lawyers® Rising Stars honoree from 2012 to 2017 and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum—an honor reserved for attorneys who have achieved multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. Combining deep legal expertise with a client-focused approach, he provides strategic, results-driven representation while guiding clients through every stage of the legal process. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and is admitted to practice in both New Jersey and New York.
