Rice, 25, reached a plea agreement with prosecutors that will see him avoid significant jail time for his role in the March 2024 crash, which involved six vehicles and sent two people to the hospital, according to authorities. He agreed to plead guilty to two third-degree felony charges: Collision involving serious bodily injury, and racing on a highway causing bodily injury.
‘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,’ Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot said in a statement. ‘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.’
In a statement released through his attorney, Rice said he was ‘profoundly sorry’ for the harm and damages he had caused in the crash.
‘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,’ Rice said.
ESPN reported that Rice, who missed the majority of last season with a knee injury, will likely receive a multi-game suspension from the NFL following the resolution of the criminal case. NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said the league has been ‘closely monitoring all developments in the matter, which remains under review.’
Rice was driving a 2020 Lamborghini Urus SUV and traveling an estimated 119 mph in the seconds before the crash on March 30, 2024, according to authorities. Police said at the time that Rice and another man, Theodore Knox, were speeding in the left lane of the North Central Expressway and ultimately caused a chain-reaction collision that impacted four other cars.
According to the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, Rice’s plea agreement also stipulates that he pay restitution to all of the victims for their out-of-pocket medical expenses − an amount exceeding $115,000.
Some of the victims have also filed civil lawsuits against Rice. The Chiefs wide receiver settled one of the lawsuits July 16, agreeing to pay the victim about $1.086 million. Another lawsuit, filed in May, is outstanding.
Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on social media @tomschad.bsky.social.