Entertainment

Chris Soules Could Potentially Face Jail Time

by Alexis Paige Williams
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

On Tuesday, April 25, news broke that former Bachelor star Chris Soules allegedly fled the scene of a fatal car crash in Aurora, Iowa. The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office confirmed the arrest with Bustle. The sheriff's office also confirmed that he has been charged with an alleged Class D felony, which means Soules could potentially face jail time. According to Iowa law, a Class D felony can carry a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of $7,500 for non-habitual offenders.

UPDATE: Audio released by the Buchanan County Sheriff's department shows that Chris Soules called 911 in regards to the accident.

UPDATE #2: A rep for Soules released the following statement to Bustle on May 3: "Neither Mr. Soules nor his legal counsel will be responding to the numerous tabloid style articles and journalists who have been reporting false and misleading stories by citing 'unnamed sources. Rather, they will be focusing on presenting the truth, which will reveal how inaccurate and unfair so many of these news accounts have been. We are confident that the fair-minded citizens of Iowa will do what they’ve always done – reserve judgment until all of the accurate information is properly presented."

EARLIER: A rep for Soules did not respond to Bustle's request for comment at the time of publication. His lawyers released a statement to Just Jared, which reads as follows:

Chris Soules was involved in an accident Monday evening (April 24) in a rural part of Iowa near his home. He was devastated to learn that Kenneth Mosher, the other person in the accident, passed away. His thoughts and prayers and with Mr. Mosher’s family.

According to the Des Moines Register, Soules allegedly crashed his truck into a tractor driven by Mosher. 66-year-old Mosher died at Mercy Hospital in Oelwin, Iowa.

The Des Moines Register also reports that Soules has been released from custody. People reports that he posted his $10,000 bail. Soules preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on May 2. At that time, it will be determined whether Soules will go to trial or not.

This is not Soules first run-in with the law. Iowa court records obtained by Radar Online revealed multiple guilty charges in Soules' past. These records are also available online through the Iowa court system. Most of these charges were related to speeding and alcohol, including possession of alcohol underage.

Iowa State Patrol spokesman Sgt. Scott Bright claimed to the Register that the Bachelor star allegedly left the scene of Monday's crash on foot and was arrested by the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office, taken to the hospital, and escorted to jail. The 35-year-old was booked at 1:16 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25 and had his first court appearance later in the morning at the Buchanan County Courthouse.

UPDATE: The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office released the following updated press release to Bustle Tuesday afternoon:

On Monday, April 24, 2017 at approximately 8:20 pm, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 report of a motor vehicle accident with injuries in the 1000 blk of Slater Avenue (W45) north ofAurora. According to the investigation, a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado operated by Christopher Douglas Soules, 35, of Arlington was southbound on Slater Avenue when he struck the rear of a southbound John Deere 2640 tractor operated by Kenneth Eugene Mosher, 66, of Aurora. The collision caused the tractor to go into the east ditch. Soules’ vehicle went into the west ditch. Mosher was transported to Mercy Hospital in Oelwein where he was pronounced dead. Soules was uninjured in the accident and left the scene of the accident prior to law enforcement arrival.
Soules was located shortly after at his residence located in the 7500 blk of B Avenue in near Arlington in Fayette County. He was subsequently arrested and transported to the Buchanan County Jail, where he was charged with Leaving the Scene of a Fatality Motor Vehicle Accident (class D felony). Soules bonded out of the Buchanan County Jail on a $10,000 bond on Tuesday morning, April 25, 2017.
No other information is being released at this time pending the continued investigation into the cause of the accident. Due to the on-going investigation, further charges may be pending. The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this incident by the Iowa State Patrol, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Aurora Fire Department and Oelwein Mercy Ambulance Service.

EARLIER: The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office shared the following press release with Bustle:

On Monday, April 24, 2017 at approximately 8:20 pm, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 report of a motor vehicle accident in the 1000 blk of Slater Avenue north of Aurora involving a pickup truck and a tractor. At this time, one fatality has been confirmed. No other information is being released at this time pending the investigation and notification of family. The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Iowa State Patrol and further information will be released at a later time.