New information has emerged regarding the fatal crash that left one Upstate man dead and an aspiring singer behind bars. 17 year old, former American Idol contestant Caleb Kennedy of Roebuck, is charged with felony DUI following a fatal crash Tuesday in Spartanburg County.
Testimony from Kennedy's first court appearance Wednesday says he hit a vape pen prior to the crash. Kennedy's lawyer Ryan Beasley also says he may have had a bad reaction to a medication he was prescribed. It is not known exactly what substance was in the vape pen. Court documents say Kennedy told law enforcement he has met up with a friend and hit the vape prior to crashing into a building off of West Murph Street and killing 54 year old, Larry Duane Parris.
The Highway Patrol was back at the crash scene investigating on Wednesday. Kennedy is a former top 5 finisher on American Idol. He withdrew from the competition after a controversial social media video surfaced, showing him next to a person wearing a KKK hood. The magistrate judge says Kennedy will remain in jail until a circuit court judge makes a decision on his bond.