Michael Berry offers to pay for damages in alleged hit-and-run But the talk-show host doesn't admit guilt in crash outside gay bar

An attorney for Michael Berry says the talk-show host is cooperating with police in the investigation. An attorney for Michael Berry says the talk-show host is cooperating with police in the investigation. Photo: Johnny Hanson Photo: Johnny Hanson Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Michael Berry offers to pay for damages in alleged hit-and-run 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Houston radio host Michael Berry has offered $2,000 to pay for damages stemming from an alleged hit-and-run crash outside a nightclub last month.

Berry's attorney sent the man whose car was damaged a check drawn from Berry's personal account and a letter explaining that the conservative talk show host is cooperating with a Houston police investigation.

"I wanted to make you aware that from the very beginning of HPD's investigation, Mr. Berry made it known to HPD that if they were of the opinion that he caused damage to your car, Mr. Berry wanted to make it right with you," reads a letter from Dick DeGuerin.

"We are prepared to pay whatever your actual damages are and we will do so immediately, whether Mr. Berry is found at fault or not."

DeGuerin's office confirmed the authenticity of the letter and check, but the attorney was unavailable for comment.

Berry, a former City Council member, was accused last week of crashing into Tuderia Bennett's car on Jan. 31. Berry has not been charged in the incident.

Bennett said he gave an additional statement to police Thursday.

He said an investigator told him he could either continue to pursue a criminal case or handle it as a civil matter, meaning he could either file a lawsuit or contact Berry to reach a settlement about damages to his car.

Bennett, who works as a bouncer at TC's - the gay bar in Montrose where the alleged hit-and-run occurred - said he would be amenable to an out-of-court settlement but wants a face-to-face apology. He said when he left the police station Thursday afternoon, a representative from DeGuerin's office was waiting at his car with the letter and a check.

"If that's (letter and check from Berry) an admission of guilt, that's fine," Bennett said. "I just want the apology that comes with it."

HPD officials said the case is active and did not comment further on the investigation.

Berry has railed against several media outlets reporting on the allegations on his KTRH talk show.

Bennett said he never intended for the case to get the intense media attention that it has, but he wanted compensation for the damage.

"It all came down to me wanting what was owed to me," he said.

Bennett added he's not the type of person who holds grudges and intends on telling Berry so if and when he meets with him.

"I just want to know the truth for my sake," he said. "Our lives will be split from there on out."

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