A former contestant from American Idol pleaded guilty on Monday in connection with a fatal crash that occurred in Spartanburg County in 2022. Caleb Kennedy, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was charged with DUI after the accident that resulted in the death of 54-year-old Larry Parris on February 8, 2022. Authorities reported that Kennedy traveled 175 yards off the roadway to a garage where Parris was working before hitting him.
Kennedy’s defense mentioned that his medication for depression had been increased shortly before the tragic event. Although he was scheduled to face trial, he chose to plead guilty to felony DUI resulting in death. The court sentenced him to five years in prison, followed by three years of home detention. Additionally, he is required to pay a fine of $15,100, and he must participate in mental health and substance abuse counseling. After serving his sentence, he will be on probation for five years.
Following the plea, Kennedy’s attorney released a statement where Kennedy expressed his deep condolences to the Parris family and acknowledged his responsibility for the accident, hoping for healing for all those affected by this tragedy.
