Former Bachelor Chris Soules is heading to trial this month for after being arrested for leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
Chris Soules is quickly finding out that his fame as a reality TV star isn’t going to help him in the courtroom. On Friday, less than two weeks before his January 18 trial date, a judge has denied one of the motions filed by his attorneys that may have helped his case.
In April, Chris was arrested and charged with a Class D felony for leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Although he did check on Mosher — and called 911 — he was picked up and went home before police arrived.
According to WRAL, Soules’ attorneys went up against the Iowa law that requires a surviving driver to stay at the scene. They claim the law “violates the constitutional rights of citizens to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures and to avoid self-incrimination.”
Judge rejects Chris Soules’ motion
On Friday, Judge Andrea Dryer dismissed the motion, stating that the law does not require the driver to tell the police anything that could “violate rights against self-incrimination.” In other words, if Chris had stayed at the scene, he wasn’t required to speak to officers.
Instead of staying at the scene of the accident, Chris reportedly went home — 12 miles away from where the crash happened. When police knocked on his door, the former Bachelor star wouldn’t let them in until hours later when they had a search warrant. By that time, it was impossible for the police to check his blood alcohol level to find out if he was drinking and driving.
Although Chris was not charged with drunk driving, WRAL reports that documents filed in court state that the Bachelor star was spotted buying alcohol shortly before the accident. Prosecutors allege that he may have left the scene to avoid answering questions about the alcohol he may have consumed before the accident.
"“Soules was seen purchasing alcohol at a convenience store shortly before the accident. [Prosecutors] allege he attempted “to obfuscate the immediate facts and circumstances surrounding the accident, including a determination of his level of intoxication and an explanation of the empty and partially consumed open alcoholic beverages located in and around his vehicle …”More from Accept This RoseBachelor in Paradise Season 9 finale: How to watchDancing with the Stars winners in order (including the DWTS 2023 winner)The DWTS finale is going to be a long one tonight, December 5!2 contestants are about to self-eliminate on Bachelor in ParadiseThe Golden Bachelor wedding special is coming to ABC"
It appears that Soules’ attorneys were hoping to get the “leaving the scene of an accident” charges dismissed by challenging the law.
However, they are still trying to get charges dismissed, with court documents revealing that Chris may claim that he had “diminished capacity” at the scene of the accident due to an “existing medical condition due to injuries sustained” in the accident.
It’s not clear what injuries Chris had — he left the scene and went home, but did he see a doctor at some point? We’ll find out soon enough.
The trial begins on January 18 and is expected to last 4-5 days.
If he is found guilty of not remaining at the scene of a fatal accident, Soules, 36, could face up to five years in prison.