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| Officer Ryan MacCluen (North Charleston Police Dept. via MacCluen family) |
Off-duty North Charleston officer was speeding at time of deadly crash, officials find
by Drew Tripp
Tuesday, July 17th 2018
LADSON, S.C. (WCIV) —
Investigators have determined an off-duty North Charleston Police officer partially contributed to the cause of a February wreck that claimed his life.
A final accident report released Tuesday by the Dorchester County Coroner's Office and S.C. Highway Patrol shows Ryan MacCluen was driving 13 MPH over the speed limit on his motorcycle when he wrecked on Ladson Road, February 15, 2018.
Highway Patrol found MacCluen was driving 53 MPH in a 40 MPH zone at the time. MacCluen died after his Harley-Davidson motorcycle hit the back of a car driven by Charleston County teacher Whitney Brooks.
State Troopers determined Brooks also partly contributed to the cause of the wreck because she failed to yield, turning left in front of MacCluen's motorcycle as he traveled down Ladson Road.
Brooks told Highway Patrol she didn't see MacCluen's motorcycle in the far right lane until she'd already started turning.
Highway Patrol arrested Brooks on a felony DUI charge after the wreck, noting red, glassy eyes, slow speech and reactions, and the smell of alcohol on her breath.
Brooks' DUI charges were later dropped after her blood, breath and urine tests all came back negative for drugs and alcohol.
The Dorchester County Coroner's Office says toxicology results for MacCluen all came back negative, as well.
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DUI charges dismissed against woman in death of North Charleston police officer
by ABC News 4
Thursday, April 5th 2018
Officer Ryan MacCluen (North Charleston Police Dept. via MacCluen family)Ladson, S.C. (WCIV) — DUI charges against Whitney Brooks, 29, have been dismissed in the death of an off-duty North Charleston Police officer who was killed in a two-vehicle wreck on Ladson Road in February.
Brooks submitted blood and urine tests for intoxicants following the wreck. Thursday, the 1st Circuit Solicitor's Office announced those toxicology reports have come back negative for any signs of alcohol or illegal substances in Brooks’ system.
Based on the results, charges against Brooks have been dismissed, the solicitor states.
Read the full toxicology report below.
Whitney Brooks Toxicology report
ABC News 4 reached out to Brooks' lawyer, Henry Schlein, Thursday afternoon, who said his client did not have a statement at this time.
He said she is relieved about the charges being dropped and he has no information about her returning to work. Brooks was placed on administrative leave by the Charleston County School District following the wreck.
On February 15, off-duty officer Ryan MacCluen, who was riding a motorcycle, died after Brooks' car turned in front of him on Ladson Road near Henrietta Drive in Summerville around 9:45 p.m., according to S.C. Highway Patrol.
Officers initially charged the Burke High School teacher with felony DUI, even though she blew a .00 when given a breath analysis test for alcohol following the wreck.
A trooper on scene said that Brooks had red glassy eyes, dry mouth, slow speech, delayed response and and an odor of alcohol was coming from her, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol.
During the sobriety test, the report stated Brooks also had to use her arms to balance.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety released a statement Thursday afternoon:
“On February 15, 2018, the South Carolina Highway Patrol arrested Whitney D. Brooks for suspicion of DUI from a collision that resulted in the death of Ryan MacCluen. Since that time the agency has received the toxicology report in this case from the State Law Enforcement Division, which showed negative results. The Highway Patrol conferred with the 1st Circuit Solicitor’s Office and the decision was made to dismiss the charge of DUI. This collision remains under investigation utilizing the Highway Patrol’s Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team. Findings at the conclusion of the investigation will be provided to the Solicitor’s office for a final review.”
According to Coroner Paul Brouthers, toxicology tests were ordered for Ryan Maccluen but those tests aren't expected to come back for several weeks.
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SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) —
A Charleston woman has been arrested and charged with felony DUI resulting in death after an off-duty North Charleston Police officer was killed in a two vehicle wreck on Ladson road Thursday night.
Ryan MacCluen, 31, of Summerville, died at Summerville Medical Center shortly before 10:30 p.m., according to Dorchester County Coroner Paul Brothers.
MacCluen, who was riding a motorcycle, died after a woman in a car turned in front of him on Ladson Road near Henrietta Drive in Summerville around 9:45 p.m., according to S.C. Highway Patrol.
MacCluen was wearing a helmet when the wreck happened, according to Brouthers.
MacCluen had been with NCPD since August 2016 after serving previously as a Charleston County 911 dispatcher, according to the department. He was a member of the uniform patrol division, a SWAT team member, and a volunteer with NCPD's Cops Athletic Program’s Powder Puff Football League.
"(MacCluen's) co-workers describe him as someone who loved being a police officer and a friendly person that always had a smile on his face," NCPD Chief Reggie Burgess said in a prepared statement. "He loved the opportunity to give back to the community he served."
Whitney Danielle Brooks, 29, of Charleston, was driving the car involved in the wreck with MacCluen. She was arrested and charged with felony DUI after the wreck, Highway Patrol says.
Neither Brooks nor a passenger in the vehicle with her at the time were injured, Highway Patrol says.
Highway Patrol confirms Brooks blew a .00 when given a breath analysis test for alcohol following the wreck. Results of blood and urine tests for intoxicants are pending, according to Sgt. Bob Beres with SCHP.
The Charleston County School District has confirmed Brooks is a teacher at Burke High School. The district says she has been placed on leave while authorities investigate the incident.
A North Charleston PD K9 officer also was killed Thursday night in a wreck on Rivers Avenue, and the dog's handler, Officer Brandon VanAusdal, also was seriously injured. A man has been charged with felony DUI in connection to that wreck, as well.
North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey released the following statement Friday morning regarding the wrecks.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Officer Ryan MacCluen. You remain in our thoughts and prayers. The City of North Charleston is deeply saddened by this loss, as Ryan was a respected member of the North Charleston Police Department and a friend to many. He will be sincerely missed.
We too grieve for the loss of Mojo, a K9 of the department. Two-legged or four, all working in police service are considered officers. We wish Mojo's handler, Officer VanAusdal, a speedy recovery.
Any city support needed will be provided to our officers during this time of bereavement.
- North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey
"I ask that each of you keep the families of our beloved Brothers MacCluen and K9 MOJO in your thoughts and prayers," North Charleston Police Chief Reggie Burgess said in a news release. "And we pray for a full and speedy recovery for PFC VanAusdal. You can rest assured that the department, as well as the city, will be there for them during this difficult time."
Brooks had a bond hearing at on Friday, February 16. Her bail was set at $125,000.
MacCluen's body has been taken to MUSC for an autopsy, per Brouthers.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol and Dorchester County Coroner’s Office is investigating.