HOUSTON – A settlement agreement has been reached between Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland and a local attorney he struck with his SUV in 2013.
The attorney, James Harris, was suing for damages topping $200,000 relating to the accident. According to court documents, the attorney also acquired $14,000 in medical bills.
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From the beginning, Chief McClelland admitted fault. The department released video of the accident that happened on Sept. 4.
In the video, you can clearly see Harris stepping off the curb and then the chief's black SUV striking him as he makes a left turn. The impact threw Harris several feet.
"It's very unnerving when you strike someone with a vehicle and I'm very thankful he wasn't more seriously injured," Chief McClelland said after the accident. The chief agreed to a one-day suspension without pay from Mayor Annise Parker.
After the investigation was completed, McClelland enrolled in defensive driving and requested a special operations unit to monitor pedestrian traffic downtown during peak times to make sure they're doing everything possible to keep pedestrians safe.
The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
WATCH RAW VIDEO OF ACCIDENT HERE.