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

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The toxicology report for the 61-year-old man killed in a crash earlier this year with a Louisville police officer had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit.

Charles Briscoe died April 2 in a crash with Louisville Metro Police Officer Alyssa Begel, who was responding to a call without her lights or sirens on. Louisville Police Chief Paul Humphrey said in April that investigators determined that Begel was speeding on Fern Valley Road and didn't have the cruiser's lights and siren activated.

Dashcam posted on LMPD's YouTube page shows the moments leading up to the crash at 8:54 p.m., as Officer Alyssa Begel was responding to an emergency request for help from an EMS crew. The video shows Begel swerving through traffic before the impact, when Begel's cruiser hit a black Cadillac that pulled onto Fern Valley Road. The driver, Charles Briscoe, died at the scene.

The toxicology report obtained by WDRB News showed his BAC was .173.

Last month, a Louisville grand jury returned a "no true bill" on a charge of second-degree manslaughter presented against Begel in Briscoe's death. Erran Huber, a spokesperson for the Jefferson Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said "any loss of life in our community is a tragic circumstance.

"However, when it comes to considering the circumstances surrounding someone’s death, each case is different. In any death investigation, there may be mitigating factors that ultimately lead to a determination not to criminally indict."

Huber wouldn't comment on the mitigating factors or whether the prosecution made a recommendation to the 12 grand jurors on whether to charge Begel.

In his statement, Huber said the grand jury "opted not to proceed with filing criminal charges, as they determined that outcome too is in the interest of justice. We respect their decision, and we appreciate their deep dive into all the available evidence."

Begel suffered serious injuries and was released from the hospital after several days. She is still employed by LMPD and remains on paid administrative leave pending an investigation, according to a statement from police.

An internal investigation into Begel began April 2 and remains open and active, according to the statement from Sgt. Matt Sanders.

According to Begel's personnel file, she was hired in October 2022 and has 22 commendations and three reprimands for discipline.

One particular incident in the documents show Begel was "at fault" in a car accident a year after her hiring, in October 2023, and disciplined for it in April 2024 in the form of a verbal reprimand.

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