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HAZLE TWP. — A Pennsylvania State Trooper assigned to the Troop N Hazleton barracks has been suspended without pay after he drove drunk with two young children in his car Monday night, state police say.

Corporal Eric T. Porpiglia, 34, of Drums, is alleged to have driven under the influence while two girls, ages 2 and 8, were passengers in the vehicle.

A review of court records by the Times Leader shows that Porpiglia also was charged with DUI on Feb. 22 following an alleged incident in Butler Township.

According to the criminal complaint:

PSP Hazleton received a call from a McDonald’s employee on Route 309 in Hazle Township for a possible intoxicated male in a white Chevrolet sedan, who left the parking lot just before 8 p.m.

While troopers were en route, they received a call from a woman saying the white Chevrolet was in front of her and driving all over the road on Route 940. The caller expressed concerns that the driver might be intoxicated.

Authorities could not find the car that was last seen in the parking lot of the Oakmont Post Office on Oakmont Drive.

At approximately 8:15 p.m., troopers observed the white Chevrolet on Lattimer Road. The driver made a right turn from Sunburst Road to Hillside Drive, but in the process the vehicle entered the oncoming traffic lane and veered to the right shoulder of the road.

Troopers initiated a traffic stop in front of 1291 Hillside Drive.

The male driver, later identified as Porpiglia, displayed signs of being heavily intoxicated and under the influence of alcohol.

Troopers said they smelled a strong alcohol odor from Porpiglia. He also had glassy bloodshot eyes, with a very low toned slurred speech that troopers had a hard time comprehending.

An 8-year-old girl was in the front passenger seat, while a 2-year-old was in the backseat. They were released into the custody of their grandparents while at the scene.

A stumbling Porpiglia was escorted to the trooper’s vehicle. Due to his condition and concern for his safety, troopers did not administer a field sobriety test to Porpiglia.

He was taken into custody and transported to PSP Hazleton. Porpiglia submitted to a blood test.

Porpiglia’s blood alcohol level, determined by the authorities testing showed he had a .208 percent.

Pennsylvania law sets the legal limit for driving at 0.08 percent.

Porpiglia was arraigned Tuesday by District Judge James M. Dixon on a felony count of endangering the welfare of children, two misdemeanor DUI charges and three traffic violations.

He was released on $25,000 unsecured bail.

Porpiglia, a 12-year veteran of the force, enlisting in 2007 has been suspended without pay pending resolution of the criminal charges against him and an internal investigation, according to a Pennsylvania State Police press release.

<strong>Butler Township DUI</strong>

Porpiglia was charged with a DUI in February by Butler Township police, according to court papers.

On Feb. 22, Butler Township police were dispatched to 1141 St. John’s Road for a two-car accident at 7 p.m., the affidavit said.

The officer observed a 2012 Mazda 3 with heavy damage in the eastbound lane. About 100 yards away in the westbound lane, a 2013 Cadillac Escalade was lying on an embankment with heavy damage.

The investigation determined Porpiglia, the driver of the Cadillac, traveling westbound swerved into the left lane and struck the Mazda head on.

Porpiglia had glassy bloodshot eyes and emitted a strong odor of alcohol, the affidavit said. He also had slurred speech.

After failing a field sobriety test, Porpiglia was placed under arrest and transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital — Hazleton for a blood test.

The sample was taken just before 9 p.m. and sent to the PSP Wyoming Regional Lab that determined he had a blood alcohol level of .207 percent.

Court records show he was released on his own recognizance.

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<div class="metaInfo"><subheadmeta>Eric T. Porpiglia had children in car when he was arrested Monday</subheadmeta></div>
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By Dan Stokes

dstokes@www.timesleader.com

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Reach Dan Stokes at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @ByDanStokes

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Trooper arrested, suspended over alleged DUI with kids in car