Former Louisville officer didn't hit brakes before fatal April crash, investigation shows

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Files from an internal investigation into a former Louisville Metro Police officer show she didn't hit the brakes in a crash that killed a man.

Officer Alyssa Begel resigned last week, six months after she was involved in a fatal crash after driving 95 mph in a 45 mph zone on Fern Valley Road without her lights and sirens activated while responding to a call.

An LMPD internal investigation into the crash, obtained by WDRB News in August under the Kentucky Open Records Law, showed there was no physical evidence Begel applied her brakes before crashing into a car driven by Charles Briscoe, 61, who was driving drunk.

According to the investigation, Begel was responding to an emergency call on April 2 after an EMS crew reported a patient inside an ambulance was being disorderly. Dashcam video shows Begel swerving through traffic before the impact, when her cruiser hit a black Cadillac that had pulled onto Fern Valley Road. Briscoe died at the scene. Begel was injured in the crash, and had been put on paid administrative leave.

A toxicology report shows Briscoe had a blood alcohol level of .173, nearly twice the legal limit. He turned into Begel's path, according to the investigation.

Additional records show prosecutors originally drafted a murder charge against Begel, but ultimately reduced that charge to second-degree manslaughter before presenting evidence to a grand jury.

LMPD's Public Integrity Unit, which investigates police department members criminally, turned its case over to the Jefferson Commonwealth's Attorney's Office in early June. A Jefferson County grand jury returned a "no true bill" against Begel in Briscoe's death on July 30, meaning they declined to indict her on a charge of second-degree manslaughter in Briscoe's death.

An LMPD investigation recommended a 30-day suspension for Begel. In a written statement announcing her resignation last week, LMPD said Chief Paul Humphrey determined Begel's 30-day suspension was "appropriate," but Begel resigned prior to the end of her disciplinary period.

LMPD's Professional Standards Unit turned over its case to Humphrey, some four months after the criminal investigation concluded. The PSU investigates LMPD policy violations by police department members.

While the criminal case wrapped up in about two months, the investigation into whether Begel violated any policies — which started April 11 — took nearly six months.

LMPD officer resigns months after driving 95 mph with no lights, sirens before fatal wreck

Louisville officer was driving 95 mph in a 45 mph zone before fatal wreck, records show

Man killed in crash with LMPD officer had BAC twice the legal limit, toxicology report shows

Louisville officer driving without lights, siren before fatal wreck won't be charged

Dashcam released in fatal crash involving LMPD officer responding without lights, siren