'Bachelor' Chris Soules' Victim’s Family Pushing For Max Sentence In Fatal Car Crash
May 21 2019, Updated 7:04 p.m. ET
Chris Soules appeared in an Iowa court on Tuesday, May 21 for sentencing in the fatal 2017 car crash that left one man dead. But The Bachelor star's sentencing has been postponed, RadarOnline.com can report.
The victim's family is demanding Soules, 37, receive the maximum punishment for the misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious injury.
Soules' lawyer kicked off sentencing by requesting the judge strike impact statements submitted in writing by victim Kenneth Mosher's wife and two sons. He argued that Soules leaving the scene of the crime did not cause the death of Mr. Mosher and that his family shouldn't be considered statutory victims.
"The state has conceded that the death did not come as a result of the offense. The law therefore doesn’t allow it as a victim impact statement," his lawyer argued. "All three of them adamantly urge the maximum punishment. It’s not to make light of their loss and grief, but there are constitutional protections."
Prosecution fought back, "They are entitled to give victim impact statements. Mr. Soules leaving the scene caused emotional harm to Mr. Mosher’s family. Mr. Soules deprived them of timely answers about Mr. Mosher’s death."
He then agued that Soules leaving the scene made himself unavailable to whether "intoxication" or "exhaustion" played a role in the accident.
The judge ultimately decided in favor of Soules.
"Death did not occur as a result of the offense," she said. "We’re here for leaving the scene of the accident offense. I am granting the motion to strike the statements and I will not consider them for sentencing."
Because the victim statements will not be included, the sentencing will be delayed to redo the pre-sentencing investigation, which is used to help determine a sentence.
In November 2018, Soules accepted a plea deal that reduced his felony charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident to a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious injury.
Soules faced up to two years of imprisonment, and/or a fine of no more than $6,250.
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As RadarOnline.com has extensively reported, Soules rear-ended tractor driver Kenneth Mosher on April 24, 2017.
Paramedics attempted to revive Mosher, who was thrown into a ditch, but were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Soules left the scene after calling 911 and was arrested hours later.
Alcoholic beverages and containers were found at the scene. He was also caught on camera purchasing alcohol prior to the crash. Despite this, he was charged with leaving the scene of a deadly crash, resulting in death.
