Former American Idol contestant Caleb Kennedy, 20, has been sentenced to eight years in prison following a 2022 DUI crash that claimed the life of 54-year-old Larry Duane Parris in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The case, originally set to go to trial, ended with Kennedy pleading guilty to driving under the influence resulting in death earlier this week.
The Incident
The crash occurred in February 2022 when Kennedy, driving his pickup truck, veered off the road and onto a private driveway. He struck Parris, pinning the victim to a building. Toxicology reports revealed that Kennedy had THC (the psychoactive compound in marijuana) and the antidepressant Prozac in his system at the time of the crash.
Prosecutors stated that Kennedy admitted to deputies at the scene that he had taken a "deep draw" from a vaping device and was under its influence while driving.
Legal Proceedings
Initially, Kennedy faced a 25-year prison sentence and a fine of $25,100, but the judge reduced the punishment to:
- Eight years in prison (with three years served under home detention).
- A reduced fine of $15,100.
- Five years of probation, during which Kennedy will undergo:
- Random drug testing.
- Mental health counseling.
Kennedy will also receive credit for the time served since his 2022 arrest.
Caleb Kennedy’s Background
Kennedy gained national attention during the 19th season of American Idol in 2021, where he made it to the top five. However, his time on the show ended abruptly when a controversial Snapchat video emerged showing him seated next to someone wearing what appeared to be a Ku Klux Klan hood. Kennedy apologized for the video, attributing it to a lack of judgment in his younger years:
“There was a video that surfaced on the internet and it displayed actions that were not meant to be taken in that way. I was younger and did not think about the actions, but that’s not an excuse.”
Aftermath of the Crash
The sentencing marks a somber chapter in the life of the once-promising country singer. The court has mandated that Kennedy’s probation period include strict monitoring, such as random drug testing and mental health counseling, reflecting the judge’s acknowledgment of his struggles with substance use and mental health.
Conclusion
Caleb Kennedy’s rise to fame was marked by talent and controversy, but his career took a devastating turn following the 2022 DUI crash. While the reduced sentence gives him an opportunity for rehabilitation, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of impaired driving.
