Chris Soules’ mugshot. (Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department)
The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department has released the above mugshot of former Bachelor star Chris Soules, and officials say he’s facing a felony charge after being accused of fleeing the scene of a fatal crash.
It shows Soules looking bleary eyed and distraught. He is wearing a T-shirt with the Soules name on it. TMZ has published a photo of Soules sitting in court in a yellow jumpsuit. You can see it here.
Soules is under arrest after being accused of leaving the accident scene after allegedly rear-ending a John Deere tractor and killing its driver in a fatal crash, according to sheriff’s officials in Iowa. Soules was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident where death occurred. That’s a violation of Iowa code section 321.261(4), and it’s a Class “d” felony upon conviction, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department told Heavy.
According to TMZ, “Soules is in court now for his arraignment. TMZ has obtained documents in which police say he was in possession of alcoholic beverage containers at the time of the crash. Soules was apprehended after witnesses near the scene of the crash ID’d him and called police.” According to KWBE, “The arrest report also states Soules ‘possessed alcoholic beverages/containers,’ but does not address whether they were open, nor whether Soules may have been intoxicated”
You can read the press release from the Sheriff’s Department in Iowa here:
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. The fatal accident occurred in Iowa on Monday, April 24 at 8:20 p.m. News broke on April 25.
In a statement, according to USA Today, Soules’ lawyers said: “While initial reports suggested Soules fled the scene, the 911 call confirms that Soules in fact was the one who contacted law enforcement immediately. During the call, he clearly identified himself and explained his role in the terrible accident. Soules attempted to resuscitate Mr. Mosher and remained on the scene with him until emergency medical personnel arrived. Soules’ attorneys are exploring the possibility of a gag order to prevent further misinformation from prejudicing Soules’ right to a fair trial.”
USA Today reported that the statement continued: “His attorneys are confident that once all the evidence is made public, it will show Soules acted reasonably and did everything in his power to provide aid to Mr. Mosher.”
Soules, a 35-year-old Iowa farmer, starred in Season 19 of the Bachelor franchise, which revolved around his small-town farming lifestyle in Iowa. He later appeared on Dancing With the Stars.
Authorities say that Soules was the one who rear-ended the tractor. “Chris was driving a Chevy pickup and rear ended a John Deere tractor trailer, sending it into a ditch,” reports TMZ. It’s not yet clear what led Soules to rear end the farming vehicle, though.
This is not a promo for @ChevyTrucks… just another day in #godscountry #farmlife #Iowa
A press release provided to Heavy by the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office in Independence, Iowa, says that, on Monday, April 24 at about 8:20 p.m, “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.”
The driver of the tractor did not survive the crash, but he was rushed to the hospital. “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 says. The office is being assisted by the Iowa State Patrol.
“The driver was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he died,” reports TMZ.
Chris Soules. (Getty)
Soules had posted photos of his Chevy truck on Twitter before the crash. One said, “This is not a promo for @ChevyTrucks… just another day in #godscountry #farmlife #Iowa.”
Chris Soules has a past arrest history. According to RadarOnline, “Soules’ most serious arrest happened in 2006, when he was found guilty of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and fined more than $500.”
HollywoodLife reported at that time: “Chris has also been fined for speeding multiple times, and in 2001, when he was 19 years old, he was found guilty of possession of alcohol under age twice. That same year, he was again hit with similar charges, with an added charge of driving with an open container. Then in 2002 he was charged for fighting on a Valentine’s Day incident, and a month later he was found guilty of fleeing the scene of an accident.”