BAKER COUNTY, Fla. – A man already charged with DUI in the hit-and-run death of a 22-year-old man near the Jacksonville Landing in August was arrested again Sunday on another DUI charge in Baker County.
Brian Patterson, 32, of Macclenny, was driving his truck at a high speed approaching an intersection with U.S. Highway 90 about 3 a.m. when he slammed on the brakes for a red light and stopped about five feet into the intersection, according to an arrest report.
A deputy saw him and followed him for a short time to watch his driving pattern, according to the report. The deputy said Patterson's truck crossed the solid white line on the shoulder of the road twice, and he stopped Patterson in a parking lot.
The deputy said he smelled alcohol coming from the car and saw a beer bottle in the cup holder. He said Patterson failed several field sobriety tests and was arrested on a DUI charge and booked into the Baker County jail.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, in August, Patterson was driving a pickup truck in a parking lot across the street from the Landing that struck Taylor Evans, an innocent bystander who later died.
Patterson was arrested earlier this month in that case on a charge of misdemeanor DUI. Police said he had a blood alcohol content level of .127.
Police have already charged Greg Johnson (pictured right) with felony murder because they said he was assaulting Patterson through an open window while Patterson was driving and trying to get away.
Police said the fight was the continuation of an altercation that began as people were leaving Maverick's Rock N' Honky Tonk at the Landing about 2:15 a.m. on Aug. 14.
Johnson, 26, pleaded not guilty last month.
The Evans family spoke to Channel 4 Wednesday night about Taylor's death and Patterson's arrest.
"I would not wish it on my worst enemy; the grief and the sadness that our family has been through because of it," said Walter Evans, Taylor's father. "If you look at the paper write up, of the car and you look at his booking report and all, it's the same thing over again, with the exception, he didn't kill nobody this time."
According to the State Attorney's motion, Jesse Dreicer, Patterson's lawyer, does not contest the state's motion that Patterson committed a crime while on pre-trial release. Evans family attorney John Kalil told Channel 4 that the case is far from over.
"There are a lot more facts to be developed in this case, and we believe that there are a number of witnesses that may not have been spoken to by the Jacksonville Sheriff's office that have some information that can be shed," said Kalil.
"I don't feel that he should have been driving since he hit Taylor," said Becky Evans, Taylor's mother. "But, certainly, glad that it's happened, that they are revoking the bond."
Taylor's parents said it's still tough to be without their son, especially during this time of year. The parents said they wants to send a message to others to hold their loved ones tight this holiday season.
"As a parent, love your kids, because they might not be here tomorrow," said Walter Evans.