The report alleges that a vehicle driven by Assistant Chief Raul Garcia veered into an adjacent lane, struck another vehicle, and continued driving after the collision. No serious injuries were reported.
According to the collision report, the vehicle involved in the crash is owned by the City of Durham. The report also lists Garcia's address as Durham City Hall.
The Durham Police Department told ABC11 that it is aware of the allegations involving Garcia.
In a statement to ABC11, Durham Mayor Leo Williams said: "The City of Durham and Durham Police Department (are) aware of allegations regarding a traffic incident involving Assistant Chief Raul Garcia. The incident is being investigated by the North Carolina Highway Patrol, which is the appropriate agency to address questions regarding the investigation.
"Assistant Chief Garcia currently serves as the Assistant Chief of the Field Operations Bureau, Zone B. Because the investigation is being conducted by the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the Durham Police Department will defer questions regarding the incident and its circumstances to the Highway Patrol."
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Williams also said Garcia was placed on administrative leave, which is part of standard protocol.
Investigators issued a citation to Garcia, who faces at least three charges related to the incident, including hit-and-run.
The investigation remains ongoing. A request for updates from the State Highway Patrol had not been answered at the time of the report.
A police procedure expert says law enforcement agencies typically conduct internal investigations when one of their officers is involved in an incident, a process that can include both a crash investigation and an administrative review.
Dr. Roy Taylor, a police procedure expert, said officers involved in a collision are generally expected to stop and notify authorities so the incident can be investigated.
"Upon making contact with another vehicle, whether it's his fault or not, they should immediately pull over to a safe area, primarily on the right side of the road, and call a law enforcement agency to come and investigate it," Taylor said.
Taylor said agencies commonly launch their own internal investigations following incidents involving police personnel.
"We call it a Garrity investigation, which means that you do not have a Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. You have to answer all questions truthfully and honestly," Taylor said.
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