‘Bachelor’s Melissa Rycroft Told Cops She Was Hit Before DWI Arrest, Police Allege

Melissa Rycroft reportedly identified herself as a hit-and-run victim prior to her DWI arrest, though police reports suggest a witness disputed her story.

Law enforcement in Tarrant County, Texas provided a search warrant that indicates officers were called to the scene shortly after noon on September 23, where they found Rycroft with an off-duty firefighter appearing unsteady.

The responding officer noted Melissa exhibited “bloodshot eyes, slurred speech” and a “slight odor of a metabolized alcoholic beverage” on her breath.

Documents reportedly show Melissa told police she was struck by another vehicle that subsequently left the scene, while the officer noted damage on the right side of her black Cadillac Escalade and a nearby tree.

During their investigation, an eyewitness approached officers claiming to have seen her vehicle swerving uncontrollably.

The witness stated that he saw Rycroft’s vehicle idling at an intersection for an extended duration and emphasized that she was the “only vehicle” involved in the incident.

Following the field sobriety tests conducted by officers, Rycroft was ultimately placed in the police vehicle. A search of her car reportedly revealed cups containing “fresh droplets of colored liquid substances and spilled liquids,” which the officer suspected to be alcohol.

Authorities from Southlake PD confirmed that there were no injuries and no additional vehicles associated with the crash.

Initially reported by us, Melissa was arrested and taken into custody, later being released on a $1,000 bond.

Her attorney, Bret Martin, emphasized the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, stating, “It is crucial we thoroughly investigate the circumstances of this case, including the actions of law enforcement, toxicology results, and the details surrounding her arrest before making any judgments.”