Lubbock Police said charges were still pending and not yet filed Friday against Jonathan Lovato, 33, who was hospitalized after a police chase led to a deadly crash Thursday at 19th Street and Avenue Q.

The crash took the life of Ngoc “Nancy” Dung Tran, 54, of Lubbock.

“Our family at Covenant Health is saddened by the death of our long-time employee, Nancy Tran,” said Kelly McDaniel, vice president for support services at Covenant Health.

McDaniel also said, “For nearly 16 years, Nancy has been an integral part of our Food and Nutrition Department at Women’s and Children’s. Our thoughts and certainly our prayers go out to her family and friends, as well as her Covenant family, during this tragic time.”

At about 11:45 a.m. Thursday, police tried to arrest Lovato which led to a vehicle chase.  The chase started at 19th and Memphis Avenue. It ended when Lovato’s vehicle crashed into Tran’s car at the intersection of 19th And Q. 

Lovato’s previous arrests included drug possession and evading police in a motor vehicle.  Although he is hospitalized, he is still technically in the custody of the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Department, according to police, because of a parole violation. 

LPD said it would be up to the Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney to decide what charges to file against Lovato.  There was no timetable as of Friday for making a decision.

Police said Lovato is “well known to the department.”  Police said he suffered moderate injuries.  A woman with Lovato was also hurt in the crash and is expected to recover.  The woman is not charged with a crime, police said.

In addition to Tran and Lovato, four other people were hurt in the crash.

LPD described Lovato as both dangerous and armed with a handgun at the time he was running from police.

One question that police are asking internally was how Lovato was ever in a position to lead them on a chase in the first place.

Undercover officers had set up a perimeter around a local hotel before the chase with orders that no one could come in or go out.  Somehow, Lovato got out.

Chief Greg Stevens promised on Thursday afternoon that not only would the case be fully reviewed, but that his department would provide the public with answers as to what happened. 

CLICK HERE to see video of Steven’s press conference.

Stevens said officers were authorized to crash into Lovato’s vehicle during the chase to stop him before anyone was hurt.  However, officers could not do it in time.  No police units were hit in the deadly crash.

Stevens made it perfectly clear Thursday that he felt Lovato has only himself to blame for his own injuries as well as Tran’s death.