HOUSTON – An undercover officer with the Houston Police Department who was involved in a four-vehicle crash Tuesday near downtown is facing charges.
Bobby Lee Jennings is charged with driving while intoxicated.
"We're not going to tolerate drinking and driving, committing DWI," said Houston police Chief Art Acevedo.
No one was injured in the crash near the intersection of Houston and Washington avenues around 5:30 p.m., authorities said.
The initial investigation showed Jennings, who was off-duty at the time of the crash, was intoxicated, police said.
Acevedo would not comment on specifics of the case.
"We're police officers and we take an oath of office. And unlike the private sector, in this department, you will not survive if you commit DWI. You just won't. Because I really believe that ultimately we will save careers, we will save life, we will save limbs by having a zero tolerance for DWI," Acevedo said.
No one came to the door at Jennings’ home Tuesday. He was out of jail on a $500 bond. The police chief said the officer is on paid administrative leave. Police said no one was hurt in the accident.
"I've got a real problem with first responders whether they're police officers or firefighters or paramedics drinking and driving. In terms of getting under the influence and driving especially when you go out and crash," Acevedo said.
Jennings, 50, is a senior police officer with 23 years' experience with HPD. He was assigned to the narcotics division.