SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. - Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan Crocker, was twice the legal limit when he side-swiped a semi-truck at an intersection in Spokane Valley on August 14, according to Trooper Troy Briggs with the Washington State Patrol.
Crocker, 63, who's from Spokane, was arrested for DUI and hit and run after a collision with the semi at the intersection of Sprague Ave. and Pines Road at 2:05p.m. Crocker's blood alcohol content (BAC) was .160 and .152 following two breathalyzer tests. The legal limit in Washington is .08.
According to Trooper Briggs, Crocker was on Pines in the left lane next to the semi. State Patrol says Crocker tried to turn right on Sprague from the left lane, crossed into the other lane and struck the semi, which damaged the passenger side of Crocker's 2009 Ford Mustang as well as sent his car spinning into the intersection.
The front of the semi was damaged but the driver, David Cowen, 48, was not injured, according to Briggs.
According to State Patrol, Crocker then fled the scene. He was followed by a witness who then called Washington State Patrol. Then Troopers Ron Falkner and Joe Leibrecht contacted Crocker about two miles away from the scene at Washington Trust Bank, at 407 N. Sullivan Road.
Crocker was arrested, cited and then released. His car was impounded.
This is a developing story and we'll bring you more details as we receive them.
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KHQ.COM - Ryan Crocker, the former United States Ambassador to Afghanistan, was arrested on August 14th by Washington State Patrol for hit and run DUI in Spokane Valley.
The arrest happened at the intersection of Sprague Ave. and Pines Road.
An employee at the Spokane County Jail has confirmed to KHQ that Crocker was cited but not booked.
Crocker has also served as ambassador to Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait and Lebanon.