Chris Soules’ attorneys issue statement on fatal crash: ‘Do not prejudge’

Attorneys for reality TV star Chris Soules, who faces a felony charge of fleeing a deadly Monday night crash, issued a statement Thursday urging 'that members of the public do not prejudge this case based on media coverage.'

Authorities say that Soules, 35, rear-ended a farmer driving a tractor on a road near Aurora about 8:20 p.m. Monday.

Audio from a 911 call released Wednesday shows he called to report the incident and remained on the line with a dispatcher for several minutes before hanging up. The farmer and military veteran, Kenneth Mosher, 66, was taken to a hospital where he died.

Soules left the scene in another pickup truck before authorities arrived but was found shortly after at his home in Arlington, officials said.

However, he refused to come to the door for deputies, according to Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Wolfgram. Authorities spent hours interviewing witnesses and obtaining a warrant for his arrest, the sheriff said.

Soules was booked into the Buchanan County Jail at 1:16 a.m. Tuesday, about five hours after the crash. He was later released on a $10,000 cash bail.

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Audio: 'Bachelor' Chris Soules called 911 from scene of fatal crash

Soules gained acclaim as a star on ABC's 'The Bachelor' in 2015 and has appeared on other national TV programs and talk shows.

Here is the statement issued by his attorneys:

'Chris Soules has retained attorneys Alfredo Parrish, Brandon Brown, and Gina Messamer of the Des Moines, Iowa law firm Parrish Kruidenier to represent him. Brown recognized the heightened level of interest because of Soules' celebrity status, but asked that members of the public do not prejudge this case based on media coverage.

'Soules' 911 call, released yesterday, proved that the initial knee-jerk coverage of this accident was incorrect.

'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.

'Soules' legal team is working to gather all of the evidence and review the facts of this tragic collision. They have already filed a demand asking law enforcement to preserve possible evidence and anticipate filing additional motions next week. 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.

'Due to the nature of the pending charges, neither Soules nor his counsel will be making any statements at this time. Soules and his family request that their privacy and the privacy of Mr. Mosher's family is respected. Everyone in this close-knit farming community is mourning Mr. Mosher's passing. Soules offers his sincere condolences to the Mosher family.'