MUDDY CREEK TWP — A Butler Township man died on his 21st birthday when a car struck him as he stood on Interstate 79 late Sunday night, authorities said.

Daniel E. Strickler Jr. was killed instantly in the accident shortly after 11 p.m. about one mile south of Portersville, state police said.

Investigators suspect Strickler had been drinking, which could explain why he was on the highway.

Police reported 911 dispatchers received several telephone calls about a man on the road and in the way of traffic before the crash.

Strickler was standing in the right northbound lane of I-79, police said, when he was struck by a 2003 Toyota Corolla driven by Bennett J. Giardina, 23, of New Castle. The victim was facing the northbound car when he was hit, authorities said.

Giardina, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered unknown injuries. He was taken to an unidentified hospital for treatment of those injuries.

A Lawrence County-based Noga Ambulance crew, which happened to be driving by, stopped to assist police. Two emergency medical technicians used defibrillator paddles on the victim but were unable to revive him.

Strickler was pronounced dead at 11:13 p.m.

No autopsy was done, but investigators are awaiting results of toxicology tests.

"There was a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on him," said Butler County Deputy Coroner Dennis Trzeciak.

Police said the accident remains under investigation.