Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice turned himself in to Glen Heights police on April 11 in connection with his role in a six-vehicle crash in Dallas last month. Rice was later released on bond after being booked into the Tri City Jail in DeSoto, Texas.
However, the legal process, both criminal and civil, has only just begun for Rice. He and SMU cornerback Theodore Knox are now being sued for $1 million by two victims of the March 30 crash, according to a Dallas County lawsuit, via Fox 4 Kansas City. Plaintiffs Irina Gromova and Edvard Petrovskiy are suing for $1 million due to their serious injuries which include “trauma to the brain, lacerations to the face requiring stitches, multiple contusions to the body, disfigurement, internal bleeding and other internal and external injuries which may only be fully revealed during medical treatment,” according to the court document.
The two complainants, who were at the wheel of their respective vehicles, were wearing their seat belts at the time of the accident.
Rice faces eight charges in this case: six counts of collision involving bodily injury, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and one count of aggravated assault, according to the arrest warrant (via WFAA) . Rice’s top speed, 119 miles per hour, occurred just before the crash, according to an arrest warrant affidavit acquired by the Dallas Morning News.
The Dallas Police Department has issued arrest warrants for Rice, 23, and Theodore “Teddy” Knox, 21, a member of the SMU football team. Knox was suspended from the team, the school announced Wednesday.
Late last month, Rice was driving a Lamborghini alongside a Chevrolet Corvette. Both cars lost control, causing a multi-car crash on a Dallas highway, according to Dallas police.
Dallas police spokeswoman Kristin Lowman said the Lamborghini fell onto the shoulder and “struck the center median wall, causing a chain collision involving four other vehicles.”
Rice issued a statementvia ESPN, apologizing for the situation and saying he takes “full responsibility for my role in this matter”:
“Today I met with Dallas Police investigators regarding Saturday’s crash. I take full responsibility for my role in this matter and will continue to cooperate with the appropriate authorities. I “Sincerely apologize to everyone affected by Saturday’s accident.”
Rice and the driver of the Corvette left the scene without determining whether those involved needed medical attention. West said why Rice left the area after the accident was “a good question that’s still under investigation.”
“This is a young man who made a mistake,” West said, adding that Rice’s “heart goes out” to the injured. Two drivers received medical treatment for minor injuries at the crash site and two others were taken to hospital with minor injuries. At least three of the victims have retained an attorney, according to the Dallas Morning News.
“Mr. Rice wants to make sure it is understood and appreciated that he will do everything in his power to get this life back as normal as possible in terms of injuries and property damage,” West said. via The Dallas Morning News. “He will make sure that he is responsible for helping them through this particular part of this situation. Don’t get us wrong, we understand that no one will ever be able to bring back someone who has had an accident… help them forget memories of this accident.”
A report from WFAA Channel 8 in Dallas revealed that 10.8 grams of marijuana was found in the vehicle Rice was driving. If charged, this amount would result in a Class B misdemeanor in the state of Texas, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine not to exceed $2,000.
West’s initial statement was consistent with his client’s social media post, saying Rice was fully cooperating.
“On behalf of Rashee Rice, her thoughts are with everyone affected by Saturday’s car crash,” West said via the Dallas Morning News. “Rashee is cooperating with local authorities and will take all necessary steps to responsibly address this situation.”
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league was currently monitoring the situation.
Rice grew up in Texas, in the Fort Worth area, and went to college in Dallas at SMU. He was drafted by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Rice led the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in receiving touchdowns last season (seven) while ranking second in catches (79) and receiving yards (938) behind Pro tight end Bowl Travis Kelce.