Houston police Chief Charles McClelland has confirmed he fired a patrol sergeant who is charged with being drunk when he ran into a school bus, but said the department's investigation of the incident is not over.

Union officials said they have been told that at least two HPD officers, including supervisors, are under investigation for unspecified misconduct on April 13, the day the officer crashed his personal vehicle into a bus in the 7900 block of Harrisburg while on his way to his job at the Eastside station.

"It's my understanding they are looking at more than two officers," including supervisors, said Gary Blankinship, president of the Houston Police Officers' Union. "Until the chief makes his final decision on what the (violations) are and what the discipline will be, it's premature for me to make any statements."

Sgt. Ruben Trejo, 46, was fired by McClelland on Aug. 19 as he was making arrangements to retire from the force, union officials said. Trejo joined HPD in November 1985, and worked at the Eastside station since 1991.

The driver of the private school bus, who was ticketed in the wreck, told police Trejo smelled like alcohol, appeared to have been drinking and had open bottles of beer and wine in his vehicle. Trejo's late-model Toyota pickup was mangled in the collision, forcing responders to cut him from the vehicle.

After police officers escorted the ambulance transporting Trejo to the hospital, his supervisor came to his defense.

Comment at scene

More for you News HPD officer faces jail over DUI wreck with school bus

Capt. Robert Manzo, who commands the Eastside patrol station, told reporters at the accident scene that blood tests would show Trejo was not under the influence of any substances.

McClelland, at a news briefing Thursday, would not say how far up the chain of command the internal affairs investigation will reach.

"The other officers that are involved, their discipline has not been completed, so I can't say what discipline they might receive," McClelland said. "I am reviewing the evidence, all the facts, and have taken the opportunity to speak with the supervisors on the scene. So in the next several days, clearly there will be a final decision."

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On April 25, two weeks after the wreck, prosecutors charged Trejo with DWI, alleging he had a blood-alcohol level of .205 - more than twice the legal limit - when his blood was drawn at the hospital shortly after the collision. Trejo was wearing his HPD uniform when the incident occurred at 2:15 p.m., and he was on the way to begin his regular shift.

Court records in Trejo's criminal case indicate he has applied for the district attorney's DIVERT program, which is limited to first-time offenders who are willing to submit to a year of counseling and testing. Those who complete the program do not have a record of a conviction, although the DWI arrest remains public.

Regrets the incident

"He's a good man and a good sergeant, but he made a big mistake," said Paul Nugent, a Houston attorney defending the officer. "He served his police department and the city of Houston honorably for 25 years. He's made a big mistake, and he is prepared to accept the consequences."

Nugent said his client takes full responsibility for his actions.

"Sergeant Trejo regrets the embarrassment he's brought to his department - that's the kind of man he is," Nugent said. "He is a good cop, but he made a mistake and takes it very serious that he let the department down."

james.pinkerton@chron.com