The former Bainbridge Island school board member accused of driving under the influence and hit-and-run was given permission Tuesday to remove an ignition interlock device from the truck he was driving at the time of the crash.

John Tawresey was arrested Feb. 29 by Bainbridge police after he allegedly hit two other vehicles with his Ford F350 pickup truck near San Carlos Restaurant on Madison Avenue. Witnesses said Tawresey was noticeably intoxicated and tried to leave the scene after the accident, but bystanders blocked his exit until officers arrived.

During a brief court appearance this week, Bainbridge Island Municipal Court Judge Kathryn Carruthers noted that Tawresey had undergone an alcohol assessment and had already completed an alcohol/drug information school course.

The judge also said there had been no reported problems with the ignition interlock device that had been installed in Tawresey’s vehicle after his arrest.

“There is no prior criminal history,” Carruthers added. “The initial installation of the interlock was on March 2; we’ve had no information indicating there has been any start-up failures or problems with the interlock.”

“In view of the assessment results and the fact that Mr. Tawresey has taken positive steps to complete the requirements of the assessment,

I will be removing the interlock at this time,” she said.

Tawresey thanked the judge, but did not talk beyond that during his brief court appearance.

Paul Cullen, a Seattle-based lawyer who is representing Tawresey, said Tawresey also wanted to waive his right to a speedy trial.

His trial was reset from May 3 to June 21.

Tawresey declined to comment after the hearing, and his attorney said it was too soon for his client to talk about the case.

Tawresey, 67, resigned from the school board the week following his arrest.

In an earlier court filing, Cullen asked for a jury trial.

Cullen also told the court he wanted any tape or video recordings made of Tawresey in connection with his arrest, as well as 911 tapes, radio calls and other records and documents. The materials requested filled more than five pages of Cullen’s March 5 filing.

Tawresey has not talked publicly of the hit-and-run and DUI charges since his arrest.

He has, however, shared his thoughts on the eventual outcome of the case with his friends and supporters.

After his resignation from the school board, other school board members sent their regrets on his departure, according to emails obtained under the state open records law.

In an email from School Board Member Mike Spence to Tawresey on the day of his resignation, Spence wrote that he would miss working with Tawresey on the board.

“I will miss your like-mindedness on the issues we worked on and hope that whoever replaces you will be of a similar mindset,” Spence wrote. “I will do my best to carry on the philosophies that we share on school matters and hope that you’ll be willing to chat with me if I have things I want to run by you.”

“I will tell you privately what I think of the way this has been played out in the public arena,” Spence added. “This situation has almost nothing to do with the facts and is all about perceptions, which are for the most part false.”

“I’ll catch you on the boat soon, hopefully. Good luck in your defense and beyond,” Spence said.

“Definitely continue discussions on the boat, on all subjects,” Tawresey replied.

“DUI & DOL — I have learned a lot — festinating how the system is set up. Once the public thing is gone — I will eventually win,” Tawresey added.

“Yes, the perceptions don’t come close to the facts,” Tawresey replied in a second email. “But that is nothing new.”