Middle School Principal Arrested for DWI in West Orange, NJ (Aretha Dooley-Malloy)

On the evening of August 30, 2022, West Orange Police were dispatched to a report of a motor vehicle crash into a residence on Rock Spring Road. Upon arriving, they observed a white 2015 Lexus RX3 idling in the driveway, and the front and rear airbags were deployed. The officer identified the operator of the vehicle as Ms. Aretha M. Dooley-Malloy, a resident of West Orange. As the officer asked Mr. Malloy to explain the incident, Ms. Malloy responded stating, “I have to use the bathroom.” When the officer informed her that she could utilize the bathroom after he was done with his investigation, Ms. Malloy continued to respond, “I have to use the bathroom.” It was later determined that Aretha Dooley-Malloy was driving home after attending a mayoral campaign fundraiser for Bill Rutherford (currently a West Orange Councilman) at the Rock Spring Golf Club. Ms. Malloy later stated that she was not involved in a motor vehicle accident and that she pulled to the side of the road because she had to take a picture. The officer observed damage to the lawn, sprinkler head, and small brick wall attached to the driveway and bushes at the residence. Ms. Malloy was then asked to produce her driver’s license, registration, and insurance card from her vehicle. It should be noted, Ms. Malloy never provided this officer with the requested documentation. While speaking with Ms. Malloy, the officer detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from her breath and observed her eyes to be blood shot. Ms. Malloy was then asked if she had been drinking today to which she responded “yes, earlier in the day.” Patrolman Vanderhoof, Patrolman McManus, Patrolman Dsurney and Fire Rescue arrived on scene. At this time, Ms. Malloy was asked if she would participate in a field sobriety test, to which she responded “I just have to use the bathroom.” Ms. Malloy continued to state that she had to use the bathroom and that she had a documented bladder medical condition. The Walk and Turn Test and One Leg Stand Test were conducted at this time with Patrolman McManus. Ms. Malloy continued to misunderstand the instructions given to her before each test and repeatedly stated that she had to use the bathroom. Upon the officer’s observations and the results of the field sobriety tests, Ms. Malloy was placed under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated (39:4-50). Once transported to police HQ, Ms. Malloy refused to sign the Miranda Rights statement and refused to provide a sample of her breath. During the booking process, Ms. Malloy failed to follow simple commands and was very uncooperative. While Patrolman Dsurney attempted to continue with fingerprinting, Ms. Malloy repeatedly removed her hand from the scanner and stated multiple times that “Karma is a bitch.” While Ms. Malloy was being fingerprinted, she spontaneously uttered that she was operating the vehicle and that she swerved out of the way while attempting to avoid hitting a deer. Ms. Malloy was advised on multiple occasions as to why she was arrested, but she continued to disregard the officers’ responses. Ms. Malloy was issued the following tickets with a court date of September 8, 2022: Driving While Intoxicated, Consent to Taking Samples of Breath, Driving of Parking Unregistered Motor Vehicle, and failure to produce proof of insurance. After she was processed and held at police HQ, she was subsequently released to Mr. H. William Rutherford 3rd (Bill Rutherford), a West Orange Councilman, after he signed the Potential Liability Warning form. Following the incident, another administrator welcomed the Class of 2022-2023 at Liberty Middle School and Ms. Malloy's resignation was eventually accepted unanimously by the West Orange Board of Education.

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