'Bachelor' Chris Soules waives right to speedy trial in hit-and-run case

Linh Ta
The Des Moines Register

"The Bachelor" star Chris Soules is waiving his right to a speedy trial and his lawyers filed a request for a trial continuation Wednesday.

Soules, who gained fame on the reality TV show, was charged with leaving the scene of a deadly crash, a Class D felony. If convicted, he could be sentenced up to five years in prison.

Chris Soules

Kenny Mosher, 66, of Aurora, was killed in the crash when the tractor he was driving was rear-ended by Soules' truck at about 8:20 p.m. April 24, police say.

According to court documents filed Wednesday, Soules' lawyers are requesting at least a 90-day trial extension. The trial is currently scheduled to start July 19.

On May 16, Soules filed a motion for the state to produce several different discovery items. While the state provided two materials at separate occasions, the request claims the defense needs more time to obtain the rest of the items and schedule depositions, according to court documents.

There are also two pending motions for the court to review.

The motion states the prosecution does not object to the extension.

On May 1, Soules' attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the felony charge, stating he did not leave the scene of a personal injury accident because he called 911 after the crash and identified himself.

The state responded by saying the motion was premature because Soules was seen buying alcohol at a convenience store right before the crash. He also did not provide an explanation regarding the empty and partially consumed alcoholic beverages in and around his vehicle. He was also supposed to stay at the scene of the crash, unless he was seeking aid, according to court documents.

In Soules' almost six minute 911 call, he doesn't say that he planned to leave the scene of the crash, located about a mile north of Aurora, a rural town of about 185. Soules eventually left the scene by walking north and getting into another vehicle, which drove away, Sgt. Scott Bright, spokesman for Iowa State Patrol, told the Register.