Sobriety Checkpoint South of Kent Nets 17 Drunken Drivers

St. Patrick's Day ended unhappily for 17 people who left Kent and drove south late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

Seventeen drivers were charged with drunk driving Saturday after being stopped at a sobriety checkpoint on S.R. 43 just south of Kent.

The checkpoint, run by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Portage County Sheriff's Office and Brimfield Police, screened 582 cars total between 10 p.m. Saturday and 3 a.m. Sunday.

Of those 582 cars, 23 cars were diverted, according to the highway patrol. A total 25 people were arrested.

The highway patrol on S.R. 43 Saturday morning following several days of announcements about a possible checkpoint in Portage County. The checkpoint also followed a day full of Saturday.

Officials at the highway patrol encouraged the public to drink responsibly and designate a driver.