Chris Soules Accident: Former ‘Bachelor’ Star Charged For Fleeing Fatal Crash

Chris Soules has been charged with a class D felony following a hit and run accident that left one dead. The former “Bachelor” star rear ended a tractor on April 24, killing neighbor Kenneth Mosher.

Despite attempts from Soules’, 35, lawyers to get the charges dismissed, he’s facing a serious conviction. The reality star is set to stand before a judge on May 23 for his arraignment. Soules’ legal counsel maintains that he provided “reasonable assistance” to Mosher before he died, according to ET Online.

“Because probable cause does not exist to support the charge against Mr. Soules, it must be dismissed,” a motion filed May 1 reads. “The information provided by Mr. Soules during his 911 call fulfilled the requirements of the reporting statutes. Not only did Mr. Soules satisfy the letter of the law, he satisfied the spirit. He gave law enforcement on-the-spot identification and location information and reasonably provided treatment to Mr. Mosher.”

While that may be true, the court has found other issues. ET Online reported that authorities felt Soules “did drive a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in the death of any person and did not immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close as possible, and/or failed to return to and remain at the scene of the accident.” As such, the charges will stand.

In addition to having fled the scene of the accident, Soules is accused of having been drunk when it occurred. According to TMZ, information obtained from court documents on May 1 reveal that Soules purchased alcohol at a local convenience store prior to the deadly crash. He later refused to answer questions about “the empty and partially consumed open alcoholic beverages located in and around his vehicle that he was seen purchasing at the convenience store shortly before the accident.”

While signs may point to Soules having been drunk when his car hit Mosher’s tractor, he may be in luck. TMZ reports that his fleeing the scene has made it difficult for authorities to determine his “level of intoxication” at the time of the accident. That will make it nearly impossible for Soules to be found guilty of driving under the influence in court.

On April 27, the 911 call Soules placed after the accident surfaced on TMZ. In the audio, the former “Bachelor” star admits he “rear-ended a guy on a tractor.” He told the operator the victim was unconscious and didn’t appear to be breathing.

“I feel a pulse, yeah he’s got a pulse,” Soules confirmed in the audio.

It’s been widely reported that someone at the scene performed CPR, though there’s been no confirmation as to whether that person was Soules. Mosher’s thought to have been alive at the time. In the 911 call Soules said there was blood at the scene.

Shortly after EMTs arrived on the scene, Soules fled. People reported that he was picked up not far from the accident. His getaway driver hasn’t been identified, but faces charges if it’s uncovered that they were aware he was fleeing a crime scene at the time.

Soules has only addressed the accident once since it occurred. In a statement released to People, he said he was “devastated” by what unfolded that night. Soules sent “his thoughts and prayers” to Mosher’s family.