SAN ANTONIO - News 4 WOAI has new details on an alleged cover-up by six SAPD officers to protect one of their own. We've learned the name of the officer that's being accused of driving drunk when he crashed his unmarked police unit on Highway 281 and Josephine Street.
News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooter Mireya Villarreal was able to confirm through several sources the sergeant involved in the accident last Thursday is Sergeant Joe Myers. At this time, he has not been charged or arrested, but he is on administrative leave.
Internal Investigations (IA) is currently looking into the accident involving Sergeant Myers. We know Myers is a 20-year veteran of the force and works out of the narcotics division with the HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas) task force.
Police Chief Bill McManus says the sergeant involved in the accident on Thursday morning is believed to have been driving under the influence. The police unit he was driving had minor damages and no one was seriously hurt. A urine sample was taken from Myers and his blood was drawn. But that didn't happen until hours after the crash.
But Myers isn't the only San Antonio police officer in trouble. Six other officers are currently being investigated for trying to cover-up what happened the morning Sergeant Myers crashed his vehicle.
Chief McManus told us one of the officers that responded to the scene tried to take Myers home and another tried to remove evidence from his unit. All of the officers involved are off the streets and on administrative duty.
"My concern is for the integrity and reputation of the police department. And our officers are held and will be held at the highest standards. And this is not acceptable behavior,” Chief McManus said.
At this time criminal charges and administrative charges are pending.
Late Tuesday afternoon, News 4 WOAI’s Mireya Villarreal got a hold of the police report for this incident. Every single name on that report is blacked out. But it does give us new insight on what happened that night. The report says off-duty officer involved in the incident was intoxicated and disoriented. He was seen knocking on the doors and windows of trucks in a parking area near Mulberry and St. Mary’s, thinking they were his truck.
We’ve also asked for access to the 911 call made the morning of the accident and Sergeant Myers’ civil service file. We’ll let you know when we get a hold of them.
