Drunk Woman Tries To Escape Arrest In East Hampton: Cops

EAST HAMPTON, NY — A Hampton Bays woman who police thought was unconscious tried to escape arrest in East Hampton, police said.

According to East Hampton Town Police, Amanda E. Stetler, 21, was arrested on April 29 at 8:16 p.m. and charged with third degree escape, a misdemeanor, driving while intoxicated, first offense, a misdemeanor, and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor.

She had been driving a white 2017 BMW west on Montauk Highway by the intersection of Abrahams Path while intoxicated, police said; she followed the vehicle in front of hers too closely, drove over hazard markings, failed to keep right and failed to use her designated lane, police said.

Upon contact, the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was detected on her breath, her eyes were bloodshot and glassy, her speech was slurred, and she was unsteady on her feet; she also performed poorly on standard field sobriety tests, police said.

After being told that she was under arrest, Stetler began to tense up, refused to place both hands behind her back, flailed her arms, and pulled away from the officers before finally being handcuffed, police said.

Stetler, police said, was arrested and placed into custody at the corner of Main Street and Newtown Lane in East Hampton; she escaped custody at 8:28 p.m.

After being arrested and charged with DWI and resisting arrest, Stetler was handcuffed and put in the rear passenger side seat of a police car. Next, police said, she "appeared to have gone unresponsive, in that her eyes were closed, her body appeared to be lax, and she was not responding to questions being asked by the officer," police said.

The officer stopped the police car, and while attempting to render medical aid, removed her handcuffs; she attempted to escape, police said.

She was released on her own recognizance with an appearance ticket, police said.