Lumberton Township mayor Gina LaPlaca was arrested earlier this week after allegedly driving drunk with a toddler in the car (Credit: LaPlaca's campaign page on Facebook)
A Burlington County mayor allegedly drove drunk on St. Patrick's Day with her toddler in the vehicle.
Gina LaPlaca has been selected by Lumberton's township committee to hold the position since 2021. She was arrested on Monday -- St. Patrick's Day -- after picking up her two-year-old child from day care, according to WPVI.
A witness provided police with video footage of a driver unable to maintain a lane, nearly hitting a utility pole. Cops traced the car to LaPlaca's home. The 45-year-old Democrat admitted to driving while drunk and there was an open container of alcohol in the vehicle.
LaPlaca's husband told the television station that his wife has entered addiction treatment. She recently left her business administrator position for Neptune Township in Monmouth County, but her husband claimed her exit was not related to alcohol. The New Jersey Globe reported she was forced out; LaPlaca reportedly had a previous DUI arrest in 2019 and was also arrested for assaulting her husband in 2023.
LaPlaca was charged with DUI, reckless driving and endangering the welfare of a child. She is due in court in late April.
