‘Deadliest Catch’ Captain Clarence Helgevold Pleads Guilty in DUI Death

Clarence "Ole" Helgevold Jr., the man known to audiences as a captain from the Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch, pled guilty to criminally negligent homicide and driving under the influence in a fatal crash.

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Prosecutors said Helgevold had been driving under the influence on January 19 in Alaska, when his vehicle crashed into a snow mobile driven by George Larion. Larion died at the scene.

In 2004, The Discovery Channel followed Helgevold’s crew for the 2004 miniseries, America’s Deadliest Season. They were also featured on the first season of Deadliest Catch, which showed his crew during the 2003-2004 opilio crab season.

According to the Associated Press, Helgevold struck a plea deal with prosecutors. In exchange for a guilty plea, he will serve five years in prison, and have his license revoked for three years and 30 days. In addition, he was ordered to have no contact with his victim’s wife, and required to pay a $5,000 fine, $1,000 of which was suspended.

Helgevold is also to be sentenced to an additional four years of suspended jail time, which would turn into probation. The judge in the case will need to sign off on the plea deal, with sentencing is set for August. Helgevold is currently out on bail, and under house arrest.