A New Jersey woman who suffered a stroke while driving and was mistakenly arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) has been awarded $12.9 million by a jury. The delayed medical response due to the wrongful arrest resulted in permanent brain damage, leaving her disabled for life.

What Happened?

The incident occurred on the morning of October 17, 2017, when Cheryl Rhines, then 48, was driving to work as a marketing executive in New Jersey. While on the New Jersey Turnpike, she suffered a stroke, causing her car to drift off the road and hit a guardrail.

Rhines was unable to move the right side of her body, speak properly, or follow commands—clear signs of a stroke. However, when New Jersey State Trooper Jennifer Albuja arrived on the scene, she did not recognize the medical emergency. Instead, she assumed Rhines was intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.

Trooper Albuja claimed Rhines was unresponsive to most of her questions and had slurred speech. When asked if she was on any medication or drugs, Rhines seemed to nod, but her responses were mostly inaudible. Instead of calling for medical help, Albuja arrested Rhines, handcuffed her, and placed her in the back of her patrol car.

Critical Delay in Medical Treatment

After the arrest, Albuja searched Rhines’ car and purse but found no evidence of drug use or alcohol consumption. However, she still transported Rhines to the police station in Somerville rather than seeking immediate medical attention.

By the time they arrived at the station at 10:32 a.m., over two hours had passed since Rhines suffered the stroke. Another officer noticed that she had vomit on her face and was unable to get out of the car. It was only then that Trooper Alejandro Molina observed that Rhines had facial drooping, a common stroke symptom. He immediately called for an ambulance.

While waiting for paramedics, officers left Rhines shackled on the floor despite her worsening condition. By the time she was taken to a hospital and given medication to clear a blood clot, it was too late to prevent severe brain damage. Doctors determined that the delay in medical care resulted in significant loss of brain function and left Rhines permanently disabled.

Life-Altering Consequences

Rhines spent two weeks in the hospital and an additional month in a rehabilitation center. However, the damage was irreversible. She now suffers from global aphasia, a language disorder that makes it impossible for her to speak or understand what others are saying. She also has permanent cognitive and motor deficits, requiring lifelong care.

Now 56, Rhines lives with her mother in Nashville, Tennessee. She can no longer work, live independently, or communicate effectively. Her lawyer, Dennis M. Donnelly, stated, “Her work life and her ability to live as a normal human being are over.”

The Lawsuit and Court Verdict

Rhines filed a lawsuit against Trooper Albuja and the New Jersey State Police, arguing that the officer was negligent and failed in her duty to provide medical care. Her attorneys emphasized that any reasonable person should have recognized her medical emergency and acted accordingly.

During the trial, Albuja’s defense argued that Rhines displayed many symptoms similar to drug impairment, such as slurred speech and loss of coordination. They also claimed that the officer’s belief that Rhines was intoxicated was an “objectively reasonable” mistake.

After a nearly month-long trial, the jury initially awarded Rhines $19.1 million for medical expenses, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and lost income. However, they later reduced the award to $12.9 million after determining that 40% of Rhines’ condition resulted from the stroke itself, while 60% was due to the delay in medical care.

Impact and Legal Implications

The case highlights the dangers of misdiagnosing medical conditions, particularly in law enforcement situations. Donnelly criticized the police response, stating, “They treated this woman as a criminal when she was helpless.”

The New Jersey State Police have not commented on the verdict. However, the case has sparked discussions about the need for improved training for officers to recognize medical emergencies, especially strokes.

Trooper Albuja had received training on identifying life-threatening conditions, including strokes, but failed to apply it in Rhines’ case. She was later “counseled” by her superiors, but only after the lawsuit was filed in 2019.

The verdict is among the largest payouts in lawsuits against New Jersey’s state agencies. In 2023, the state paid $121 million to settle various claims, but only 23 cases resulted in payouts exceeding $1 million.

Conclusion

This tragic case serves as a reminder of the importance of proper medical training for law enforcement officers. Had Rhines received timely medical attention, her life would have been drastically different. Now, she must live with permanent disabilities due to a mistake that could have been avoided.

As this case gains attention, legal experts and advocates are calling for stricter protocols and better training to ensure that medical conditions like strokes are not mistaken for criminal behavior in the future.