A former "American Idol" finalist faces serious legal consequences following a tragic incident in his home state.
According to Fox News, Caleb Kennedy, 20, who reached the top five in the show's 19th season, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to a felony DUI charge resulting in death.
The sentence comes after a February 8, 2022, incident where Kennedy crashed his 2011 Ford pickup into a building, resulting in the death of 54-year-old Larry Parris.
The crash occurred when Kennedy's vehicle veered onto a private drive on West Murph Road in South Carolina.
The court handed down a 25-year prison sentence with a $25,100 fine, which was subsequently suspended to eight years with a $15,100 fine.
Kennedy will serve five years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections, followed by three years of home detention. The court has credited him for the time served since his arrest.
Prosecutor Barry J. Barnette emphasized the dangers of vape pens in society, stating they contributed to Parris's death. The prosecution revealed that Kennedy had been smoking marijuana using a vape pen before the accident.
Kennedy's defense attorney, Ryan Beasley, provided context about the circumstances, noting his client's clean record and age at the time of the incident. Beasley offered the following statement:
First of all, Caleb again wants to express his heartfelt sympathies to the Parris family. Caleb fully accepts his responsibility for this accident and hopes for healing for everyone affected by this tragedy.
Kennedy's journey in the entertainment industry began when he appeared on "American Idol" at age 16. His promising run on the show's 19th season came to an unexpected end when he reached the top five contestants.
The young singer's departure from the show was prompted by the emergence of a controversial video showing him alongside someone appearing to wear a Ku Klux Klan hood. Following the video's circulation, Kennedy addressed the situation on social media with a public statement:
Hey y'all, this is gonna be a bit of a surprise, but I am no longer gonna be on American Idol. There was a video that surfaced on the internet and it displayed actions that were not meant to be taken in that way. I was younger and did not think about the actions, but that's not an excuse.
The defense team highlighted that Kennedy's prescription medication may have played a role in the accident. They explained that his Prozac dosage had been increased around the time of the incident, potentially causing an adverse reaction when combined with THC.
Caleb Kennedy, once a promising young talent on "American Idol," now faces the consequences of his actions in a fatal DUI crash in South Carolina. The 20-year-old will serve five years in state prison followed by three years of home detention for the incident that claimed the life of Larry Parris, 54.
Following his release, Kennedy must complete five years of probation and participate in both mental health and substance abuse counseling programs. The case highlights the devastating impact of impaired driving and the role of substance use in tragic accidents.
