‘American Idol’s Caleb Kennedy Denied Bond After Deadly DUI Crash
Disney/Matt Stroshane Reading Time: 2 minutes
Caleb Kennedy will remain behind bars after causing a deadly DUI crash in February. The 17-year-old was denied bond for the third time after his lawyer called for an emergency hearing. The former Idol contestant faces a felony DUI that killed a 54 year old man in his private driveway.
Caleb’s lawyer Ryan Beasley stated this case is just like “any other case” where a 17-year-old that has a B.A of 0.18 and given bond. Caleb allegedly drove his truck off the road and killed Larry Parris in his driveway. Medical reports showed Caleb was under the influence of marijuana as well as twice his prescribed dose of Prozac.
The emergency hearing comes just two weeks after Caleb’s second court appearance. During that hearing a judge ordered a full toxicology report to determine if Caleb had other drugs in his system. Until the report is back, the judge stated Caleb would not receive bond. Although the report is not yet complete, Beasley said even if there was “THC or other drugs” in his system, the outcome should not mean Caleb’s bond is denied.
“There is no complete blood toxicology report. That has not been presented to the court today,” said Judge Daniel Hall. “Nothing has changed, those conditions have not been met. There hasn’t been a change in circumstances so I’m not going to go any further with this bond hearing today.”
During the virtual hearing Beasley explains that the South Carolina Toxicology Department, Sled, has been backed up from three to six months.
Caleb Kennedy’s Felony DUI Crash
After the February 8 crash, Caleb told authorities that he was smoking a vape before driving. Caleb claimed he began to feel the effects while on the road.
Until Caleb’s toxicology report comes back he will remain behind bars. Caleb faces up to 25 years in prison and a fine of $10,100 to $25,100 if convicted.
Caleb’s DUI is another life changing event that has derailed the once aspiring singer’s life. During his time on American Idol, he was a frontrunner until an old video resurfaced of him sitting next to someone in what appeared to be a Ku Klux Klan mask. Although he denied that was what his friend was wearing, the controversy caused him to drop out of the singing competition.
