Newly released bodycam video shows a partially consumed bottle of vodka being retrieved from a sport utility vehicle involved in a single-vehicle crash with former Titusville police chief John Lau at the wheel.
Lau, who was driving the unmarked Titusville Police-issued Chevrolet Tahoe, suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash, which happened along Barna Road at 11:17 p.m. June 23.
The Florida Highway Patrol, the lead agency investigating the crash, said there was no indication that Lau was impaired.
“The Florida Highway Patrol responded to the scene of a single vehicle crash, conducted a thorough investigation, and throughout that investigation did not observe indicator of impairment,” said Trooper Migdalisis Garcia, spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol, in a statement to FLORIDA TODAY on Friday, June 26.
Questions continue, however, about whether Lau, who was fired for refusing city-mandated drug testing after the rollover accident, will face any criminal punishment. Titusville police say the agency opted not to file charges, but the crash is being handled by the Florida Highway Patrol, where troopers say the crash remains under investigation. An initial crash report, examining speed, safety belt information, the vehicle’s maintenance and other factors, is expected to be public in 10 days.
Trooper said that for an unspecified reason, the vehicle veered off the 35-mph roadway and rolled over several times. Titusville police officers responded within minutes to the scene, located just outside the city’s jurisdiction, looking over the site as Lau, wearing a neck brace, was placed on a gurney.
A Titusville sergeant arrived at the crash site and activated his body camera to survey the scene, where a bottle of vodka and a metal cup were spotted in the wreckage, Titusville police reported.
Lau, a 30-year veteran of the 94-officer agency, was responsive, answering questions, bodycam video shows.
Deputy Chief Tyler Wright was notified about the crash and directed officers to visit Parrish Medical Hospital and request that Lau submit to alcohol testing through a blood draw and breathalyzer check as outlined in city police. Lau refused both requests. It was not immediately known if the hospital did a blood draw for medical reasons or if the highway patrol had access to those records. Lau did not return multiple calls from FLORIDA TODAY for comment.
After Lau’s firing, deputy chief appointed to interim role
Lau was discharged from the hospital in the morning of June 25. He then was called into a meeting with City Manager Tom Abbate and was fired, effective immediately, from the agency for violating the city’s policy on drug testing.
Tyler Wright has been appointed interim chief of police and will oversee department operations during the transition, Abbate said.
“This is an extremely unfortunate and avoidable incident,” said Wright, who issued a statement about the incident late Thursday, June 25.
“Thankfully, no other innocent parties were involved, and no serious injuries were sustained. This incident does not reflect the values of this Department or the dedicated men and women who serve our city.”
J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641or jgallop@floridatoday.com. X: @JDGallop.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Vodka bottle found in former Titusville police chief’s crashed SUV
Reporting by J.D. Gallop, Florida Today / Florida Today
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By J.D. Gallop, Florida Today | USA TODAY Network
