KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice accepted a plea deal Thursday in connection to criminal charges stemming from a high-speed, multi-car crash in 2024 on a Dallas highway.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office says Rice agreed to plead guilty to two counts of third-degree felony charges.
Rice's attorney spoke to the media in Dallas after Rice was sentenced. Watch the press conference in the video player below.
Under the terms of the plea, Rice was sentenced to five years of probation. He will be required to serve 30 days in jail at some point during the probation period. He will also be required to pay $115,481 in restitution to all the victims to cover their out-of-pocket medical expenses.
“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. “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.”
Following Thursday’s plea, Rice and the Chiefs will now turn their focus to how long Rice might be suspended by the league.
The NFL has said it would wait for the criminal justice process to be complete before handing out any disciplinary action.
“We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review," an NFL spokesperson told KSHB 41 News Thursday.
A Chiefs spokesperson told KSHB 41 News Thursday that the club was aware of the reports, though because it remains an ongoing legal matter, they did not have a comment at this time.
Rice’s attorney, Royce West, released a statement Thursday on behalf of Rice through the Dallas County DA’s office.
“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 obey 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.”
In April 2024, Rice was charged with one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious injury and six counts of a collision involving injury.
Rice admitted to driving a Lamborghini SUV that was involved in the crash. The Lamborghini, along with a Chevrolet Corvette, lost control while driving at high speeds and caused a chain reaction collision. Four people were transported to area hospitals with minor injuries.
"I take full responsibility for my part in this matter and will continue to cooperate with the necessary authorities," Rice said in a social media statement days after the incident happened.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
