Police await test results in Rob Bironas investigation
The police investigation into the death of former Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas could continue for weeks amid the wait for autopsy and toxicology results.
A police spokeswoman said no announcement regarding the investigation is expected on Wednesday.
The autopsy should show whether Bironas had drugs or alcohol in his system when he allegedly engaged motorists in two separate road rage incidents shortly before crashing his SUV at a high speed late on Saturday night.
Police still didn't know for sure late Tuesday if Bironas was wearing a seatbelt at the time of his wreck, Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said.
There is no record of traffic tickets for Bironas, according to chief deputy clerk Bill Cartwright. And the Berry Hill Police Department has no record of complaints or traffic stops of Bironas on the night of the wrecks, according to spokesman Joe Baker.
"The vehicle was extensively damaged and he had to be removed from it by members of the Fire Department," Aaron said. "The police department's plan this week, probably (Wednesday), is to do an extensive check of the crashed vehicle. At this moment I can't tell you about a seatbelt. But keeping in mind, the photographs really don't show the extent of the damage."
The 911 call from Bironas's wife, Rachel Bradshaw, makes it unclear when he was last seen in his house. Bradshaw told a 911 dispatcher she last saw him around 9:40 p.m. on Saturday, but in an incident report filled out later that night she said he was last seen at 10:30 p.m.
A criminal background check from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation yielded no arrests on Bironas's record. A search of his name in the Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk's system also shows no citations or arrests.
Bironas, who played nine seasons with the Titans, was a fan favorite and a big contributor in the Nashville community. He was a prankster who livened up the locker room, but he could be guarded at times. He occasionally jousted verbally with people he didn't agree with.
Bironas went through several sports agents earlier in his career and was known for having a bit of an edge to his personality.
But Bironas developed a tight bond with friends he grew close with in recent years. And those who know him best say he was in a great place emotionally in recent months after marrying Rachel Bradshaw in June. Bironas was optimistic about his chances of returning to the NFL after a workout with the Lions last week.
Nate Rau and Jim Wyatt write for The (Nashville) Tennessean.