Former ‘The Bachelor’ contestant Melissa Rycroft arrested after Texas crash — her hit-and-run claim disputed by witness, attorney urges caution.
Reality TV alum Melissa Rycroft was arrested after a single-vehicle crash on September 23 in Tarrant County, police documents show, with investigators saying her account that another driver fled the scene was contradicted by a bystander.
According to a search-warrant affidavit obtained by authorities, officers were called just after noon to a roadway where they found Rycroft standing beside an off-duty firefighter and exhibiting signs consistent with impairment. The report notes the officer observed bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and detected what was described as the odor of an alcoholic beverage.
Rycroft initially told officers she had been struck by another car that then left the scene, the affidavit says. Officers did note visible damage to the right side of her black Cadillac Escalade and to a nearby tree. But while police were investigating, a witness reportedly approached and told them he had observed the vehicle weaving across the road and later sitting at an intersection for an extended period — and that no other vehicle was involved.
After performing field sobriety tests, officers took Rycroft into custody. During a search of the SUV, they say they found cups and traces of recently spilled colored liquids that the officer believed were alcoholic. Southlake police confirmed that no other vehicles or people were injured in the incident.
Rycroft was booked into the local jail and later released on a $1,000 bond. Her lawyer, Bret Martin, urged restraint from the public and media, reminding everyone that “everyone is innocent until proven guilty,” and calling for a careful review of law-enforcement conduct, toxicology findings and all facts related to the arrest before drawing conclusions.
At this stage, the case centers on conflicting accounts: the defendant’s claim of a hit-and-run and a witness’s description that suggests a single-vehicle crash after erratic driving. The items reportedly found in the vehicle and the officer’s observations are typical elements investigators use to determine whether intoxication was a factor.
If charges are pursued, toxicology results and camera or additional witness evidence will play a key role. As Rycroft’s attorney requested, behavior by officers and the reliability of field tests are also likely to be scrutinized in court.
Celebrities attract attention, and that attention often makes complex, open investigations feel like a finished story before all the facts are in. Based on the documents released so far, there are clear indicators that law enforcement had reason to suspect impairment, but an arrest is not the same as a conviction. The right balance is to call for thorough, transparent testing and an impartial legal process while resisting the rush to judgment that social media encourages.
At the same time, public figures have a responsibility; crashes that involve property damage or potential danger demand accountability regardless of fame. If the witness account and physical evidence align with impairment, the court should address it firmly but fairly. If they don’t, the defense should be allowed to challenge the procedures and evidence without a trial by headlines.
Until laboratory results and a full record are available, the prudent stance is straightforward: follow the facts where they lead, respect legal protections for all parties, and avoid amplifying unverified narratives.
