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Breathalyzers Donated to Montco Sheriff To Check Defendants Arriving For Court

By Jim Melwert

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Sheriff's deputies in the Montgomery County Courthouse now have access to portable breathalyzers, donated by the family of a state trooper killed by a DUI driver.

The breathalyzers will be used on defendants who are suspected of being drunk when they show up at their hearings.

The family of state trooper Kenton Iwaniec donated two portable breathalyzers to the Montgomery County sheriff's office.  Sheriff Russell Bono says they were needed.

"Some individuals actually come to court under the influence of alcohol, and some of them drive to court that way," Bono tells KYW Newsradio.

Trooper Iwaniec was killed by a drunk driver while driving home from the Avondale Barracks in 2008.  Through a foundation that bears his name, his family started getting portable breathalyzers to each state police barracks in the state.  After that initial goal of 86 devices donated, Kenton's mother, Debra Iwaniec, says they've given out over 600 more.

 

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