Rice pleaded guilty to two felony charges in connection with the 2024 crash on U.S. 75.
DALLAS — Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was sentenced Thursday in connection with a multi-vehicle crash on U.S. 75 in Dallas last year.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s office confirmed Rice pleaded guilty Thursday to collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury – both felony charges.
Rice was sentenced to five years of deferred probation and 30 days of jail time as a condition of his probation, according to the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. Rice was also required to pay restitution totaling $115,481.91 to the victims of the crash for their medical expenses before the plea.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Rice is likely to receive a multi-game suspension now that he’s been sentenced. WFAA has reached out to the Kansas City Chiefs and NFL for comment. The NFL gave WFAA the following statement:
“We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review.”
Rice, in a statement issued through his attorney Royce West, said he was “profoundly sorry” for the damages caused by the crash.
“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,” the statement read. “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.”
Officials said Rice was speeding in a Lamborghini on the left shoulder of the U.S. 75 when the vehicle was hit by a Chevrolet Corvette that former SMU cornerback Theodore “Teddy” Knox was driving. Knox had attempted to move from the far-left lane into the shoulder that Rice’s car occupied, the report said. The crash then caused Rice’s car to hit a center median wall and begin a “counter clockwise rotation,” which then started the six-car crash, investigators previously said.
Police said both Rice’s Lamborghini and Knox’s Corvette were traveling over 115 miles per hour just before the crash.
Rice turned himself in to police shortly after the crash and admitted to driving the Lamborghini.
Both Rice and Knox faced eight felony charges in connection to the crash – six counts of collision involving bodily injury, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury, and one count of aggravated assault, according to the warrant. SMU suspended Knox from the football team after the charges were filed against him.
The status of Knox’s case is unclear.
Both Rice and Knox have been named in civil lawsuits in connection with the crash.
Rice’s sentencing comes after a judge Wednesday ordered Rice to pay one of the victims in one of the lawsuits he faces in connection with the crash $1 million, plus $75,000 in pre-judgement interest.
A native of North Richland Hills, Rice was a standout receiver for four seasons at SMU before being selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round with the No. 55 overall section of the 2023 NFL Draft.
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