‘American Idol’ Alum Charged in Fatal DUI

Caleb Kennedy, a finalist on the last season of “American Idol,” has been arrested and charged after he allegedly crashed his truck into a building, killing a man.

Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway of the South Carolina Highway Patrol confirmed to People that on Tuesday, the 17-year-old musician was traveling north on W. Murph Road in his 2011 Ford pickup at around 12:42 p.m. when his vehicle “traveled onto a private drive at 269 W. Murph Road and struck a building” in Spartanburg.

“A person inside the building sustained fatal injury as a result of the collision,” Ridgeway added.

In a picture obtained by TMZ, it appears Kennedy’s truck allegedly crashed into a detached garage.

Kennedy was ultimately arrested and charged with felony driving under the influence resulting in death.

“The driver is identified as Caleb Andrew Kennedy, 17-year-old male from Roebuck, South Carolina,” Ridgeway continued. “This crash remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. There will be no further updates at this time.”

The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office later confirmed to WYFF4 that the victim — identified as 54-year-old Larry Duane Parris — was pronounced dead at the hospital three hours after the crash.

On Wednesday, TMZ reported that Kennedy had his first court appearance and the judge ruled he should be held without bond.

It is unclear whether he has entered a plea or retained an attorney.

After Kennedy advanced to the Top 5 on “American Idol” last season, he was booted from the competition after a video resurfaced of him sitting next to a friend who was wearing a hood similar to those worn by the Ku Klux Klan.

“‘American Idol’ contestant Caleb Kennedy will no longer be moving forward in the competition. Sunday’s episode will feature the Top 4 with one contestant elimination,” a source close to the show told People at the time.

Following the controversy, Kennedy issued an apology, writing on Instagram that the video “displayed actions that were not meant to be taken in that way.”

While explaining that the clip was taken when he was younger, he admits he “did not think about the actions,” adding, “I’m so sorry! I pray that I can one day regain your trust in who I am and have your respect.”