Melissa Rycroft in 2013. Photo: Valder Beebe Show, CC BY 3.0, placed on a blurred background.
The Melissa Rycroft arrest followed what police describe as a hit-and-run with a stopped ambulance in Southlake, Texas, on Halloween. Rycroft Strickland, 43, a former “Bachelor” contestant and “Dancing with the Stars” champion, faces a second DWI charge about two months after a plea deal in her 2025 case. These are allegations. No court has ruled on the new charges.
This article reflects reports available on Nov. 2, 2026. Details may change as the case develops.
Melissa Rycroft arrest at a glance
| Incident | Oct. 31, 2026, about 5:50 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Location | South Peytonville Avenue and Chimney Works Drive, Southlake, Texas |
| Vehicle struck | Southlake Fire Department ambulance, stopped at a stop sign |
| Charges | DWI, driving with an invalid license, and a collision or accident charge |
| Bond | $9,000 in total |
| Latest custody report | Listed in custody on Monday morning, Nov. 2, according to USA TODAY |
| Investigation | Ongoing, according to police |
What police say happened
CBS Texas reported that, according to the Southlake Police Department, officers responded to a reported hit-and-run at about 5:50 p.m. on Oct. 31. Police said a Southlake Fire Department ambulance was stopped at a stop sign when another vehicle hit it and left.
Officers then found the driver and identified her as Rycroft-Strickland, a Southlake resident, CBS Texas reported. She was taken to the Keller Regional Detention Facility, where bond was set at $9,000.
The charges
Reports list three charges:
- Driving while intoxicated. USA TODAY describes it as a second offense.
- Driving with an invalid license. People reports the jail record as an invalid license with a prior conviction or suspension without financial responsibility.
- A collision or accident charge. Outlets describe the damage amount differently, as shown below.
Where the reports disagree
The coverage is less than two days old and does not match on every point. We have not seen the Southlake police release or the jail record ourselves.
| Detail | What is reported |
|---|---|
| Arrest date | People and TMZ cite jail records and say Sunday, Nov. 1. Fox 4 says Halloween night. CBS Texas says “Saturday, Nov. 1,” but Nov. 1 was a Sunday. |
| Damage amount | People and WKRC say under $200. CBS Texas and USA TODAY say more than $200. |
| Injuries | CBS Texas and USA TODAY say none were reported. Fox 4 says police had not released whether anyone in the ambulance was hurt. |
| Where she was held | CBS Texas and Fox 4 name a Keller facility. Us Weekly names the Tarrant County Corrections Center. Both may be true if she was moved. |
Her 2025 DWI case and plea deal
- Sept. 23, 2025: Police said they responded to a single-vehicle crash around 12:05 p.m. and found a black Cadillac Escalade that had struck a tree, according to People. Witnesses reportedly saw it driving erratically before the crash.
- After the arrest: TMZ reported she was released on a $1,000 bond about eight hours later.
- October 2025: Prosecutors filed a misdemeanor charge, Us Weekly reported. Her lawyer said at the time: “An arrest is no indication of guilt.”
- August 2026: She pleaded guilty, according to Us Weekly and TMZ. People’s report places the sentencing in September.
Us Weekly reported that she agreed to 20 months of probation instead of 280 days in jail. Reported terms included:
- A $2,000 fine
- 36 hours of community service
- A DWI education program and a substance abuse evaluation
- No alcohol or illegal drugs during probation
- A camera-equipped ignition interlock device on her car
- Drug and alcohol testing and monthly check-ins
What a second DWI can mean in Texas
Under Texas Penal Code Section 49.04, a basic DWI is a Class B misdemeanor with a minimum of 72 hours in confinement. Section 49.09 raises it to a Class A misdemeanor with a 30-day minimum if a prior intoxication-related conviction is shown at trial. Those penalties apply only on conviction, and this is general information, not a prediction of the outcome.
What has not been confirmed
- Any breath or blood test result
- What led officers to the DWI charge
- Which vehicle she was driving, or whether it had the interlock device
- Whether prosecutors will act on her probation
- Any court date
- Any comment from Rycroft Strickland or her lawyer on the new arrest. The lawyer’s quote above dates from the 2025 case.
Who is Melissa Rycroft?
Rycroft Strickland is a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader who appeared on Season 13 of “The Bachelor” in 2009. She competed on “Dancing with the Stars” that year and won its 2012 all-star season with partner Tony Dovolani, USA TODAY reported. She and her husband, Tye Strickland, starred in the reality show “Melissa & Tye” and have three children, according to People.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Melissa Rycroft arrested?
Police allege she hit a stopped ambulance in Southlake and left the scene on Oct. 31, 2026. She was then arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Is this her first DWI arrest?
No. She was arrested on a DWI charge in Southlake on Sept. 23, 2025, and later pleaded guilty in that case.
Was anyone hurt in the ambulance crash?
CBS Texas and USA TODAY said no injuries were reported. Fox 4 said police had not released that detail.
How much is her bond?
Bond was reported as $9,000 in total across the charges.