Houston police chief announces punishment for hitting pedestrian with car

Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland will be taking a defensive driving course and has accepted a one-day suspension from Mayor Annise Parker, stemming from a traffic incident earlier this month.

Soon after he tweeted news of his punishment, a video of accident was also released to the media via email.

The accident happened about 8:15 a.m. on Sept. 4 at the intersection of Clay and Travis, about a block from police headquarters. McClelland hit a man he didn't see crossing the street as he was driving to police headquarters in a city vehicle.

"I am the boss; I should take a bigger discipline. This is why I am accepting my suspension," the official Houston police Twitter page quoted McClelland as saying.

Parker sent McClelland a letter Thursday explaining the punishment.