Chris Soules has a tough legal battle ahead in his hit and run case. The latest ruling from the court spells trouble for the Bachelor star.
Former Bachelor star Chris Soules may have a high-powered legal team but they may not be able to save him from jail time. Two new rulings in last month’s fatal accident case make it clear that his pricey defense team and celebrity status doesn’t matter one bit.
Here’s the latest scoop on Chris’ case and what the court’s rulings mean for the reality star going forward.
Last month, Chris was accused of rear-ending a tractor with his pickup truck near his Iowa home. The driver of the tractor, Kenneth Mosher, died shortly after the crash. The 911 call recording reveals Chris did try to help the victim. However, police reports indicate Chris left the scene of the accident. He was later arrested at his home, but not until he made officers obtain a warrant, something that took several hours.
This week, an Iowa court shot down a request from Soules’ lawyers to dismiss the case. That was a big “no” from the judge presiding over the matter.
And that’s not the only thing that was denied. Chris’ lawyers asked for all of the official evidence (emails, phone records, etc) that officials have in their possession. Getting the evidence in their hands won’t be so easy. Radar reports that prosecutors asked that the evidence be withheld from Soules’ lawyers unless the Bachelor star “specifically asks” for certain documents.
The judge reportedly called Chris’ attorney’s attempt to dismiss the case “premature.” The filing in the matter notes that Soules didn’t return to the scene of the accident after he left. It also states Chris didn’t inform officers where they could find him after he left.
The filing against Bachelor star Chris Soules
“Defendant’s motion to dismiss recognizes the defendant was to immediately return to the scene of the accident or inform the law enforcement authorities where he could be located. Defendant did neither. Furthermore, the only permissible reasons for which Defendant could leave the scene of the accident in the first place was to seek necessary aid or report the accident to law enforcement authorities. Defendant did neither after fleeing the scene.”
Fleeing the scene isn’t the prosecutor’s only concern
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Prosecutors have also filed court documents that allege that Chris purchased beer shortly before the accident. Although he hasn’t been charged with a DUI at this time, KCRG reports empty alcohol containers and “partially consumed beverages” were found in his pickup at the time of the crash.
Law enforcement officials weren’t able to give Chris Soules a breathalyzer test at the scene.
Hours later, they finally obtained a warrant for his arrest. If he was drinking and driving, his blood alcohol level would have greatly decreased by the time he was arrested.
For now, Soules is charged with a Class D felony for leaving the scene of an accident, death resulting. That carries up to a five-year jail sentence and a hefty fine.
If he is charged with a DUI, death resulting, he could face up to 25 years in jail.
Chris Soules is due back in court on May 23.
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