American Idol alum Caleb Kennedy, 20, sentenced to 8 years in prison for fatal DUI crash
Caleb Kennedy, who appeared on Season 19 of “American Idol,” has been sentenced after pleading guilty to driving under the influence, Us Weekly reported on Friday.Kennedy, 20, was arrested and charged with a felony DUI in South Carolina in February 2022 after a car crash led to the death of a 54-year-old man.Kennedy was 17 when his Ford pickup truck traveled 175 yards off the road and struck a garage in which Larry Duane Parris was working in Spartanburg, S.C.Parris was reportedly pronounced dead at the hospital three hours after the 12:30 p.m.
crash.On Monday, Kennedy pleaded guilty during his hearing, according to a local Spartanburg, South Carolina CBS affiliate WSPA.The outlet reported that Kennedy was sentenced to 25 years in prison and a $25,100 fine, which has been reduced to eight years and a $15,000 fee.
Kennedy will serve three years of his sentence via home detention.He will then be on probation for five years after his release.The singer will also be required to undergo mental health and substance abuse counseling.
A representative for the 7th Circuit Solicitor’s office in Spartanburg confirmed that a plea deal was made before the case went to trial.“This case shows the dangers of vape pens to society,” Solicitor Barry J.Barnette, who prosecuted Kennedy, said in a statement.FOX Carolina reported that Kennedy’s defense said his dose of Prozac had been increased shortly before the crash. The Greenville News also reported that he was driving under the influence of marijuana after using a vape pen, citing warrants.
The warrants reportedly said the reality TV alum was on his way to his girlfriend’s house at the time of the accident, and that Parris was talking on a phone.“A very good person died, and I feel so bad for the Parris family.Caleb’s very remorseful and his heartfelt sympathies are extended to the Parris family.
This sentencing starts the healing process for everybody involved in this situation,” Kennedy’s attorney ...