Reality TV Star Arrested for DWI, Faces Charges After Alleged Hit-and-Run

According to a criminal complaint filed by prosecutors in October 2025, former reality TV star Melissa Rycroft was arrested in September 2023 for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. The 42-year-old is facing charges for having an alcohol concentration level of "0.15 or more" at the time of her blood analysis.

Under Texas law, a first-time DWI offense can result in a mandatory three-day jail sentence and up to 180 days behind bars. Rycroft's arrest came after she was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run incident in Tarrant County, Texas. An eyewitness claimed there was no other vehicle involved, and that Rycroft had been swerving prior to the incident.

Following her release from jail, Rycroft's lawyer, Brett Martin, urged the public to withhold judgment until all evidence is properly analyzed. He emphasized the presumption of innocence, stating, "An arrest is no indication of guilt." Rycroft herself acknowledged she is "struggling" with the situation, responding to a supportive fan on social media.

The former Bachelor contestant rose to fame in 2009 after winning season 13 of the reality dating show. She later experienced public heartbreak when the season's lead, Jason Mesnick, broke up with her to pursue the runner-up, Molly Mesnick. Rycroft's recent legal troubles mark a new challenge in her life in the public eye.