Former U.S. ambassador Crocker arrested in DUI hit-and-run crash
SPOKANE, Wash. -- Former U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, one of the most decorated State Department diplomats in the last half century, was arrested on August 14 by the Washington State Patrol for investigation of hit-and-run, DUI in Spokane Valley.
The 63-year-old Spokane native was arrested at the intersection of Sprague Ave. and Pines Road at 2:05 p.m. on August 14 while driving his 2009 Ford Mustang convertible. Crocker reportedly tried to take a right turn from the left lane, slamming into a semi truck that was in the right lane.
"Mr. Crocker's vehicle spun out, then he left the scene without stopping and leaving any information or checking if there are any injuries, or anything like that," said Trooper Troy Briggs.
Crocker was arrested a short time later. His blood-alcohol level at the time was between 0.16 and 0.15, said Briggs.
The other driver was uninjured.
The following day, Crocker pleaded not guilty to charges of hit-and-run and driving under the influence.
Crocker is a career diplomat who has spent the last 30 years serving hot spots across the Middle East. In 1983, he was a diplomat serving in Lebanon when the American embassy in Beirut was hit by a truck laden with explosives, killing 63 people, including 17 Americans.
He served under President George W. Bush as ambassador to Iraq, having been appointed to the position following President' Bush's 2007 State of the Union address where he announced the surge of American forces into Iraq to quell the growing insurgency.
Crocker served as ambassador to Iraq through 2009 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor that can be awarded, by Bush.
In April of 2011, Crocker came out of retirement after President Barack Obama nominated him to serve as ambassador to Afghanistan. He was at the embassy last September when insurgents launched an assault on the compound in Kabul which houses both the embassy and NATO headquarters. Seven people were killed and 19 were wounded during the attack, which lasted 19 hours.
Earlier this year, Crocker announced he was retiring due to a serious health issue that he previously had while serving as ambassador to Iraq. His last day as ambassador was July 13.
According to Texas A & M University's website, Crocker is on leave from his position as dean, executive professor and the Edward and Howard Kruse endowed chair at the Bush of School of Government and Public Service.
At his initial court appearance, a judge ordered him not to consume alcohol or drugs with exception of prescription drugs. He was told not drive while consuming drugs or alcohol, or after having done so. He must also participate in random alcohol testing starting this Saturday, Aug. 25.
Crocker could not be reached for comment. Attorney Julie Twyford, who is representing Crocker, was in court Thursday morning and was also unavailable for comment.
Crocker's next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 12.
The 63-year-old Spokane native was arrested at the intersection of Sprague Ave. and Pines Road at 2:05 p.m. on August 14 while driving his 2009 Ford Mustang convertible. Crocker reportedly tried to take a right turn from the left lane, slamming into a semi truck that was in the right lane.
"Mr. Crocker's vehicle spun out, then he left the scene without stopping and leaving any information or checking if there are any injuries, or anything like that," said Trooper Troy Briggs.
Crocker was arrested a short time later. His blood-alcohol level at the time was between 0.16 and 0.15, said Briggs.
The other driver was uninjured.
The following day, Crocker pleaded not guilty to charges of hit-and-run and driving under the influence.
Crocker is a career diplomat who has spent the last 30 years serving hot spots across the Middle East. In 1983, he was a diplomat serving in Lebanon when the American embassy in Beirut was hit by a truck laden with explosives, killing 63 people, including 17 Americans.
He served under President George W. Bush as ambassador to Iraq, having been appointed to the position following President' Bush's 2007 State of the Union address where he announced the surge of American forces into Iraq to quell the growing insurgency.
Crocker served as ambassador to Iraq through 2009 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor that can be awarded, by Bush.
In April of 2011, Crocker came out of retirement after President Barack Obama nominated him to serve as ambassador to Afghanistan. He was at the embassy last September when insurgents launched an assault on the compound in Kabul which houses both the embassy and NATO headquarters. Seven people were killed and 19 were wounded during the attack, which lasted 19 hours.
Earlier this year, Crocker announced he was retiring due to a serious health issue that he previously had while serving as ambassador to Iraq. His last day as ambassador was July 13.
According to Texas A & M University's website, Crocker is on leave from his position as dean, executive professor and the Edward and Howard Kruse endowed chair at the Bush of School of Government and Public Service.
At his initial court appearance, a judge ordered him not to consume alcohol or drugs with exception of prescription drugs. He was told not drive while consuming drugs or alcohol, or after having done so. He must also participate in random alcohol testing starting this Saturday, Aug. 25.
Crocker could not be reached for comment. Attorney Julie Twyford, who is representing Crocker, was in court Thursday morning and was also unavailable for comment.
Crocker's next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 12.
His crime in Spokane is nothing.  It's Crocker's involvement in destabilizing nations and destroying people that reserves for him a future place in the deepest pit of Hell. Perhaps booze is an attempt to deaden the haunting reminders of this vile perpetrator.
If he wasn't retired he would have had diplomatic immunity from DUI.Â
 @Cunny Funt Diplomatic immunity is there to protect a foreign diplomat from the laws of the country he is serving in. In this case diplomatic immunity does not apply cause he is in his home country, not on a diplomatic mission, so he would have been treated just like any other citizen.
Come on northwest sheeple its just another story about a government official that was caught drunk while driving, dang half of your states higher offices are held by DUI members so why all the whining....
"In 1983, he was a diplomat serving in Lebanon when the American embassy in Beirut was hit by a truck laden with explosives, killing 63 people, including 17 Americans. then in Afghanistan, last September when insurgents launched an assault on the compound in Kabul which houses both the embassy and NATO headquarters. Seven people were killed and 19 were wounded during the attack, which lasted 19 hours."
I don't condone drinking and driving and he should get his just do. But Some of you call this man a "baboon", "lousy crook" and some just cast him into the pile of human garbage.
This man served his country and has been in harm's way several times. 30 years of service and some in the most dangerous parts of the world. I'm sure if were at those places, you would crap your pants.
This man is no less a hero than the sailors, soldiers and airmen fighting for their country. If feel the need to belittle this man, then I wonder how you feel about all the men and women you come home with similar issues.
No he should not drink and drive but that was a mistake, a mistake that thousands of people do every day at happy hour and don't get caught.
The man served his country 30 years- he is not a crook or baboon-he is a hero!
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 @snoopy84 You are spot on with you're comments snoopy84! I don't condone the behavior he has shown and hope he can and will get hisself straightened out and overcome his addiction(s) that have hold of his body and spirit. Unless all you people have walked in his shoes or similar and done with your life what he has accomplished in his the you should just keep you're comments very civil or just shut up!!
67-68 Nam Vet
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He's a disgrace. Too stupid to even see a semi on his right. Definitely not the smartest tool in the shed. No wonder every where he went was tragedy.
Sounds like Crocker was Crocked. He may be something else that ends in ked when the judge gets done with him.
"Crocker announced he was retiring due to a serious health issue" -- would that be alcoholism?
It's sort of ironic having criminals in charge of making sure everyone else obeys laws...
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Time to throw all these lousy crooks out of office.
Bush and Cheney both had DUI convictions and this country elected them into office twice.Â
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People say that they care, but they don't.Â
 @caphillkid While off topic. I must point out the Bush/Cheney were appointed by the supreme court and diebold not the people. But you're right about one thing. White men of wealth and power can get anything they want.
Ambassador to the US of A?? Nothing like a drunk standing in for our country!
We the people are a joke, anarchy will be on the rise, and make no mistake, it's the people like this/the baboons running our country that will cause havoc in our streets and nieghborhoods!
We're nuts!
He has certainly been in his fair share of world hot spots in his 30 year career, bless him for his work in the name of the Nation. But just the same a DUI somehow lessens his credibility, and he had been cautioned about getting behind the wheel of his car while under the influence.
@left-center Not only was he driving under the influence but he LEFT the scene of the accident. He is no better than the other idiots who do the same.
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Lessens his credibility? HE DROVE DRUNK, CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND LEFT THE SCENE. He could have seriously injured someone! Then he pleads not guilty?
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 He is a coward and a disgrace. He shouldn't have any credibility left.
@left-center He was cautioned by the judge at his arraingment, not before he drove under the influence. All the same though, I agree with your comment that this man has served his country in some of the most horrible places on earth and has been in harms way multiple times. He deserves our thanks for that. He should however, be subject to the same punishment that you or I would. no more, no less.
I expect nothing less for anyone in power... they all seem to think they are above the laws they right/enforce.
What a tool.
Wow, drunk at 2:03PM? Classsssy
Must have figured it was 5:00 somewhere...
Hopefully he won't use the "I made a mistake" crutch, which is both laughable, not to mention a lie.
C-O-N-S-C-I-O-U-SÂ Â D-E-C-I-S-I-O-NÂ to drink, drive, and deceive
We all make errors in judgement. Â Will wait for trial to see what was going on. Â At least no one was killed.
@Henry Joseph Parle Sr. Thumbs down for you!!!
@This_again? I'm all for punishing drunk drivers who are convicted in a court of law. Sometimes these message boards are full of people who forget that an arrest doesn't equal a conviction.
@ondskap If he wasn't guilty, why did he run?
@ondskap .15 to .16... assuming pays off in this case.
@This_again? It sure seems that way, but I wouldn't be suprised to find out that everyone ends up getting equal justice given the specific juristiction they are being charged in is. Regardless, my main comment was just about how people, famous or not, connected or not, are often talked about as guilty on this board, moments after news breaks of their arrest. Perhaps the news outlets would be better suited to first report on a story like this following the eventual conviction or aquittal. Yeah right! :)
@ondskap I agree, however people that "know people" often are not subject to the same laws as us normal folk.