LATROBE, Pa. — Hundreds came out to Saint Vincent College to participate in a race designed to honor a Pennsylvania state trooper killed by a drunk driver and prevent similar accidents.
Trooper Kenton Iwaniec was killed by a drunk driver in 2008 as he was coming home from his shift at the Avondale barracks in Chester County. The driver hit Iwaniec head-on after crossing the center line of Route 41. The trooper was flown to a hospital in Deleware but later died.
Members of the Trooper Kenton Iwaniec Memorial Foundation gathered in Westmoreland County to help prevent similar accidents from happening again.
“What we’re doing here today is keeping impaired and intoxicated drivers off the roadway by providing money which goes towards preliminary breath tests which we know as PBTs to state and local law enforcement,” said Trooper Tristan Tappe.
Over the past 14 years, the organization has raised over $1 million and has purchased over 2,500 preliminary breath tests to distribute across the state.
The money was raised by racers, sponsors, and online donations.
Despite the rain and a bit of a chill the turnout for the event was still successful.
“The people that looked at the radar had an opportunity to say ‘no’ and it’s just incredible that we still have hundreds and hundreds of people showing up today,” said Trooper Iwaniec’s mom, Deborah.
If you are interested in donating to the foundation, click here.
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