Car Accident

Vodka Bottle at the Scene: Titusville Fires Police Chief John Lau After He Wrecked a City SUV and Refused an Alcohol Test

Published on

By Robert W. Burns III
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TITUSVILLE, Fla. — The City of Titusville has terminated Police Chief John Lau following an off-duty crash in a city-owned vehicle and what the city describes as Lau’s refusal to submit to alcohol testing, a direct violation of City Personnel Policy.

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City Manager Tom Abbate signed Lau’s separation letter on June 24, 2026, ending the career of a chief who had led the department since 2012 and worn a Titusville badge since 1992. The letter states that Lau’s employment was “terminated with cause in accordance with your Employment Agreement,” citing a violation of Section 5.14, City Policy on Drugs and Alcohol, for refusal to submit to a drug test. The document was stamped received by the city’s Human Resources division the same day.

The crash

According to the city, the incident occurred on June 23, 2026, at approximately 11:17 p.m. in Brevard County, outside Titusville city limits. Lau was driving a city-owned vehicle at the time of the crash. The Florida Highway Patrol investigated and determined no criminal charges will be filed.

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FHP investigators located the wreck at Barna Avenue and River Oaks Drive in unincorporated Brevard County, where an unmarked 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe assigned to the Titusville Police Department ran off the roadway and overturned several times. A 60-year-old man was transported to Parrish Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening. The city has directed all questions about the crash investigation to FHP.

What officers reported at the scene

Upon learning of Chief Lau’s involvement, the Titusville Police Department responded to the scene. A Patrol Sergeant and a Patrol Major arrived, the Sergeant’s body camera was activated, and photographs were taken.

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According to the city, officers observed at the scene a partially consumed vodka bottle and a metal cup. Based on those observations, Deputy Chief Tyler Wright directed a Commander to respond to the hospital and request that Lau submit to alcohol testing, by breath and/or blood draw, pursuant to City Personnel Policy. The city says Lau refused both requests, and that refusal is what the city has identified as the policy violation behind his firing.

Following his discharge from the hospital on June 24, City Manager Abbate met with Lau and terminated his employment. Deputy Chief Tyler “TJ” Wright has been appointed Interim Chief of Police to oversee department operations.

City response

“This is an extremely unfortunate and avoidable