Breathalyzer errors impact 22 OUI cases in Worcester County

The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office has identified 22 drunk driving cases in Worcester County that have been tainted by statewide errors in breathalyzer testing according to DA Joseph D. Early Jr.

Early announced that the his office will immediately resume using the results of appropriately calibrated breath tests in court after suspending the results of breathalyzers two weeks ago.

Fifteen of the 22 defendants in the impacted cases were notified and seven more are under review. Early’s office stressed that each case will be evaluated and defense attorneys who handled the affected cases will be given an option for a motion of a new trial.

Secretary of Public Safety Daniel Bennett said that the errors in reading the results of the breath tests was a result of human error and not the functionality or accuracy of the test devices.