SADD welcomes parents of the late Trooper Kenton Iwaniec

The MAHS SADD Chapter welcomed Debra and Ken Iwaniec on April 7 to the school for an assembly on the dangers of impaired driving. The Iwaniecs’ son, the late Trooper Kenton Iwaniec, was killed 17 years ago when an impaired driver hit his vehicle..

In heart-wrenching detail, the parents of a young man killed in a DUI accident recently spoke with Meyersdale Area High School students about the consequences of driving while impaired. As images of their late son Pennsylvania State Trooper Kenton Iwaniec played in the background, Debra and Ken Iwaniec recounted the life and tragic loss of their beloved son. The Iwaniecs are from Westmoreland County.

MAHS SADD Chapter President Jaylynn Anderson welcomed the Iwaniecs and served as the hostess of the presentation.

On March 27, 2008, Kenton, 24,  had just recently completed a shift at the Avondale Barracks in Chester County, when an impaired driver crossed the centerline and hit his vehicle head-on. The driver was operating a black Chevy Tahoe when she hit a vehicle in front of Kenton before hitting his vehicle head-on. Emergency crews worked for nearly 40 minutes trying to free Kenton from the wreckage before he was flown to a Delaware trauma center. He sadly died from his injuries two hours later, before his parents and three sisters were able to reach his side.

“We lost our son because someone decided to be selfish and make a decision without thinking how it could affect others,” Debra explained.

The driver of the vehicle had a blood alcohol level more than four times the legal limit and was also under the influence of illegal oxycodone. She was driving without her headlights on, while going 73 miles per hour in a 45 mph zone.  She and her passenger, her four-year old son, escaped serious injuries.

With tears in her eyes and her voice cracking, Debra recalled the last time she saw her son alive and then the last time she saw his body. She described the type of child, teen and young man Kenton was and described the plans he had for the future he was not able to enjoy.

“Kenton was the type of son you wanted to carry on the family name. His heart was compassionate, his mind was quick and he had a sense of humor that was one of a kind. Kenton loved his friends, family, God and country. In a few simple words, Kenton lived to serve. He was born with a rare fire; he knew there was something bigger than himself and he was willing to give his life to protect it,” she explained. “Although short, the time we had with Kenton was a blessing and a true gift.”

Though it has been 17 years since his death, the Iwaniecs said the pain never goes away and the sense of loss continues to be overwhelming.

“For the last 17 years we have not been able to celebrate holidays, birthdays or family time with our son. There is an empty seat at the table and that never gets any easier,” Ken explained. “In 2008, the year he was killed, a total of 11,773 lives were lost because of DUI, but that number doesn’t reflect the lives that have been affected by those lost and the times missed. That is just too many empty seats.”

In an effort to honor and serve his memory and share his story, Kenton’s parents founded the Trooper Kenton Iwaniec Memorial Foundation to honor DUI victims, raise awareness about the seriousness of impaired driving, and encourage the community to have a positive influence in the reduction of impaired driving.

Through a series of events, activities and fundraisers the foundation has raised more than one million dollars.  Through these funds, the Iwaneics have been able to purchase and provide more than 2,500 preliminary breath testing devices throughout the commonwealth.

The Iwaniecs hope that through their grief they can help people make better choices than the driver who killed their son.

“If we can stop just one person from driving impaired, if we can just help one person make the right choice, maybe we can help save another family from going through what we have been through. We have lost our son, our brother, our friend and our protector. We pray the number of families stripped of a loved one as a result of impaired driving will decrease. No one should have to experience this pain,” Debra concluded. “We are here to challenge you to make the right choice, don’t drive impaired. If you see someone that is driving impaired, call 911; if you have been drinking call someone for a ride; if you see someone impaired getting ready to drive, take their keys. You all have the power to make the world a better place.”

This special assembly was made possible by the MAHS SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) Club and UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Twin Lakes.