The 20-year-old has pleaded guilty to a felony DUI charge that resulted in the death of 54-year-old Larry Parris three years ago.

Kennedy was originally preparing to face trial but opted to plead guilty to the felony charge of driving under the influence. The court sentenced him to 25 years in prison and imposed a $25,100 fine. However, the judge later reduced his sentence to eight years and lowered the fine to $15,100. In addition to his prison term, Kennedy will serve five years of probation and attend mandated mental health and substance abuse counseling.

The tragic incident that led to Kennedy's arrest occurred on February 18, 2022. Kennedy was driving his pickup truck in Spartanburg County when he veered onto a private driveway, hitting Larry Parris who was working in his garage. Parris was transported to Spartanburg Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries three hours later.

Further details revealed by The Greenville News indicate that Kennedy had been under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash. He was using a vape pen while driving to his girlfriend's house, which impaired his ability to drive safely.

Caleb Kennedy rose to national prominence during the 19th season of "American Idol" in 2021, making it to the top five contestants at the young age of 16. Despite his talent, his time on the show ended abruptly when a controversial video resurfaced, showing him in a hood many believed resembled a Ku Klux Klan robe. Kennedy apologized for the video and withdrew from the competition.

Kennedy's sentencing marks a somber chapter in the young singer's life, highlighting the severe consequences of impaired driving.