Ryan Crocker faces hit-run, DUI charges

SPOKANE, Wash., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Ryan Crocker, former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan and other countries, was charged with drunken driving and hit-and-run in Spokane, Wash., police said.

Court records indicate Crocker, a 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, was arrested Aug. 14 in Spokane after his car hit another vehicle, spun out, then drove off, CNN reported Thursday.

A police spokesman told CNN a witness followed Crocker several miles to a bank, where he was arrested about 45 minutes later.

The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

Crocker's car sustained "significant" damage, including a flat tire, Washington state police officer Troy Briggs said.

Breath tests indicated Crocker had blood-alcohol content levels of 0.160 and 0.152, well above Washington's legal limit of 0.08, Briggs said.

Crocker pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence and hit-and-run of an attended vehicle and was released on his own recognizance, court documents indicated.

Conditions for his release include refraining from committing any crimes and no consumption of alcohol or drugs except as prescribed by a doctor, CNN said.

Crocker was ordered undergo alcohol testing twice a month.

His next court date is Sept. 12.