Entertainment

Why Was Chris Soules Arrested?

by Taylor Ferber
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

The news began spreading Tuesday morning that Bachelor star Chris Soules was arrested for allegedly fleeing the scene of a deadly car crash. The arrest was confirmed to Bustle by the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office. A press release from the sheriff's office also confirmed that one person was killed in the crash, in which a pickup truck collided with a tractor and both vehicles landed in a ditch.

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: Soules' rep did not return Bustle's request for comment at the time of publication, but his lawyers did release a statement to Just Jared, which reads:

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 TMZ, Soules was allegedly driving the pickup truck and rear-ended a tractor. He was arrested specifically for allegedly fleeing the scene. News station KWWL reports that court documents state alcohol containers were found at the scene.

The Bachelor star's bail is set at $10,000, and, while his initial court appearance was on Tuesday, his preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 2. The Iowa native is charged with a Class D felony, according to the sheriff's office, which can lead to a maximum five-year sentence and $7,500 in fines for non-habitual offenders.

This isn't Soules' first run-in with the law. He has multiple guilty charges tied to issues including speeding, drinking underage, and operating a vehicle while under the influence, as indicated by court records.

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 full press release from the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department reads as follows:

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.