DALLAS, Texas. (KCTV) – A Dallas County judge has sentenced Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver for his role in a multi-car crash on Easter weekend in 2024.
Rice was sentenced to five years of probation and 30 days of jail time that can be served during those five years. Rice pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony charges, including collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury.
According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the criminal sentencing allows the NFL to “expedite its disciplinary process,” and said Rice “is likely to receive a multi-game suspension.”
Rice’s lawyer Royce West released a statement on behalf of the Chiefs wideout:
Last March, I was involved in a high-speed accident in Dallas. There have been a lot of sleepless nights thinking about the damages that my actions caused, and I will continue working within my means to make sure that everyone impacted will be made whole.
I urge everyone to mind the speed limit, drive safe and drive smart. Last and certainly not least, I am profoundly sorry for the physical damages to person and property. I fully apologize for the harm I caused to innocent drivers and their families.
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“The club is aware of the reports,” a spokesperson for the Chiefs said Thursday. “With it being an ongoing legal matter we won’t have comment at this time.”
An NFL spokesperson told KCTV, “We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review.”
Dallas County court records filed Wednesday, July 16, revealed one of Rice’s civil cases has been settled. Judge Kim Bailey Phipps ordered Rice to pay Kathryn Kuykendall $1 million plus interest in the amount of $75,000 for a total of $1,075,000.
As part of Rice’s plea agreement, Rice is required to pay restitution to all the victims for their medical expenses. The restitution totaled $115,481.91, according to the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
Rice and his former SMU teammate, Theodore Knox, were racing sports cars on a Dallas freeway in March 2024 when they crashed, causing a chain-reaction involving six cars. The crash happened shortly after 6 p.m. on March 30, 2024, during rush hour traffic as Rice drove a 2020 Lamborghini Urus SUV at 119 miles per hour.
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At the time of his arrest, Rice was booked on suspicion of multiple charges, including one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury, and six counts of collision involving injury.
In Thursday’s news release, Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot warned of the dangers of street racing.
“When someone with Mr. Rice’s public platform chooses to drive so recklessly, there is a responsibility to acknowledge the danger posed to others and take accountability,” said Creuzot. “A vehicle in the wrong hands can be as dangerous as any weapon. We are extremely fortunate that no lives were lost that day, and Mr. Rice is fortunate to have walked away unharmed.
“We hope he takes this as an opportunity to mature and leads by example moving forward. I wish him the best in making safer choices.”
Rice played just four games with the Chiefs last season and is set to return from a tear in his knee this season. He was one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL prior to his injury last fall, totaling 24 receptions for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns.
This is a developing story. KCTV will update it when more information becomes available.
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