Sgt. Thomas Haymond pleaded not guilty Thursday morning to misdemeanor DUI and hit-and-run charges, district attorney's office spokesman Alex Bastian said.
The sergeant was off-duty and driving near 12th Avenue and Lawton Street in the city's Inner Sunset neighborhood at about 8:35 p.m. on Oct. 8 when he allegedly crashed into a parked car that then struck a tree, police said.
Residents heard the crash, looked out the window and called police.
Officers followed a debris trail leading away from the crash site and found the alleged driver, Haymond, at a home in the 1100 block of Moraga Street, according to police.
No one was injured in the incident.
Haymond has since been released from custody and is on paid leave. When he returns to work, he will be reassigned to an administrative position, police spokesman Officer Albie Esparza said.
