Caleb Kennedy DUI

Last year, we reported that teenage “American Idol” contestant Caleb Kennedy was forced to quit the show after a video surfaced in which he posed next to someone who was wearing a white hood that resembled Ku Klux Klan gear. 

Now, things have gotten even worse for Kennedy, as the 17-year-old former “Idol” contestant has been arrested in connection with a drunken car crash that resulted in the death of another man. 

Backstory: ‘American Idol’ Finalist Caleb Kennedy Exits Show Amid Video Controversy

Kennedy Arrested In Fatal DUI Crash

WSPAA reported that Kennedy was arrested in South Carolina on Tuesday and charged with felony driving under the influence. At around 12:30pm, he allegedly ran off the road into a private driveway, crashing into a workshop that was located behind the house.

Sadly, 54-year-old Larry Duane Parris was in the workshop at the time, and he ended up dying after being rushed to the hospital for his injuries.

Kennedy was also taken to the hospital. His injuries are not clear at this time, he is expected to survive. 

Kennedy’s ‘American Idol’ Scandal 

Kennedy had made it to the top five in “American Idol” last year before he was forced to drop out after a controversial Snapchat video surfaced.

“Hey y’all, this is gonna be a bit of a surprise, but I am no longer gonna be on ‘American Idol,'” Kennedy announced on his Instagram at the time, according to Daily Mail. “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.”

“I wanna say sorry to all my fans and everyone who I have let down,” he added. “I’ll be taking a little time off social media to better myself, but saying that, I know this has hurt and disappointed a lot of people and made people lose respect for me. I’m so sorry! I pray that I can one day regain your trust in who I am and have your respect! Thank you for supporting me.”

Related: ‘American Idol’ Judges Luke Bryan And Lionel Richie Break Their Silence About Caleb Kennedy

Kennedy’s Mother Speaks Out

Kennedy’s family told the Herald-Journal that the video was taken when he was only 12 years old.

“I hate this has happened and how Caleb is being portrayed by people online,” said his mother Anita Guy. “This video was taken after Caleb had watched the movie The Strangers: Prey at Night and they were imitating those characters. It had nothing to do with the Ku Klux Klan, but I know that’s how it looks. Caleb doesn’t have a racist bone in his body. He loves everyone and has friends of all races.”

Please keep Parris’ family in your thoughts and prayers after this horrific tragedy. 

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