An official report on the crash that killed Otterbein student Patrick “PJ” Cleary was released by the Ohio State Highway Patrol over the weekend.
According to the report, on Feb. 14 at 12:15 a.m., 21-year-old Cleary was travelling southbound on Pickerington Road and traveled left of center of the road and struck 35-year-old Richard Birney head-on. Both vehicles received disabling damage and Cleary’s vehicle caught fire.
A witness called 911 at 12:17 about a vehicle on fire. The reporting officers arrived at 12:49.
The report stated that Cleary was under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication and that alcohol was suspected. Cleary was given a blood test for alcohol which has not yet returned results from the Fairfield County Coroner. Birney was not issued a drug test.
The report showed that adverse weather, such as snow, ice or fog, was not present at the time of the crash.
A Unit has been assigned to investigate how alcohol was involved in the incident.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol has been unsuccessful in their attempts to contact Cory Birney, the spouse of Richard Birney, about victim/witness benefits.
This is the first official report released by a government agency concerning the accident since the Ohio State Highway Patrol gave a media release last week.
