JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – What started with a hit-and-run crash, escalated into a chase and then ended with a second crash and the death of a driver left a Jacksonville Beach man hospitalized and facing charges in what authorities have called a fatal DUI wreck.
The incident took place early Sunday morning at the intersection of Blanding and Lake Gray boulevards.
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According to investigators, 32-year-old Brian Laubert was intoxicated as he fled from police after being involved in a hit-and-run crash. During the chase, officers said Laubert ran a red light and slammed into a car, killing the car's driver, 39-year-old Clifton Nelson.
"We're angry about what happened but we can forgive whoever did this. We just hope that the justice system does its part and he's never allowed to do this to anyone else again," said the victim's brother Ron Nelson.
"We would like to send out condolences out to his family as well," said Nelson's sister Terri Tyre. "I don't think it's ever intentional for someone to get in their car and go out and kill somebody. I know that what he was doing was reckless, but he is in our prayers and his family will be in our prayers as well."
While the victim's family has forgiven, the fatal crash brought up questions about police-chase procedure.
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Chief of Patrol Wayne Clark reviewed JSO's policy and found the officer did nothing wrong during the car chase Sunday morning.
On Monday, a 16-page report was released reiterating what can and cannot be done in a police chase.
However, some wonder whether Laubert would have ran the red light if he were not being chased by police.
"We can all speculate," Clark said. "Looking at all the things that happened that night in a short time frame, it appears that the officer acted according to policy. It's very traumatic that the person lost his life on the other end. It's a very tough call, but the officer was well within our policy in the pursuit situation."
Part of the policy states that if an officer believes a driver is intoxicated, they believe that person is a public threat and can engage in a pursuit.
Laubert is facing three charges from FHP and three charges from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Some of the charges filed against Laubert include leaving the scene of an accident, fleeing from police, driving with a suspended license, DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide.