Kansas Metropolis Chiefs star vast receiver Rashee Rice was sentenced to 30 days of jail time and 5 years’ probation Thursday for his function in a multicar crash final 12 months.
In keeping with a launch from the Dallas County District Legal professional’s workplace, Rice pleaded responsible in district courtroom to 2 third-degree felony expenses — collision involving severe bodily harm and racing on a freeway inflicting bodily harm.
A Dallas district courtroom decide dominated that Rice can serve the jail time at any level throughout the five-year probationary interval. Rice acquired deferred adjudication, sources instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter, so the case will likely be dismissed if he completes the probation.
Earlier than his plea settlement, Rice additionally paid over $115,000 in restitution to the victims of the March 2024 crash for his or her medical bills, in line with the district legal professional’s workplace.
The NFL now can expedite its disciplinary technique of Rice, who’s prone to obtain a multigame suspension sooner or later throughout the 2025 season.
“We have now been carefully monitoring all developments within the matter, which stays beneath evaluate,” NFL vp of communications Brian McCarthy instructed Schefter.
The Chiefs instructed The Related Press on Thursday that they didn’t have a remark.
Rice, in a press release launched Thursday by his legal professional, stated he’s “profoundly sorry for the bodily damages to particular person and property.”
“Final March, I used to be concerned in a high-speed accident in Dallas,” Rice stated in his assertion. “There have been lots of sleepless nights interested by the damages that my actions triggered, and I’ll proceed working inside my means to be sure that everybody impacted will likely be made entire. I urge everybody to thoughts the pace restrict, drive protected and drive sensible.
“Final and positively not least, I’m profoundly sorry for the bodily damages to particular person and property. I absolutely apologize for the hurt I triggered to harmless drivers and their households.”
Police stated Rice was touring at 119 mph in a Lamborghini sport utility car shortly earlier than the Could 30, 2024, crash in Dallas.
Dallas district legal professional John Creuzot stated in a press release that Rice was “lucky to have walked away unhurt” and that he hopes Rice “takes this as a chance to mature and leads by instance.”
“When somebody with Mr. Rice’s public platform chooses to drive so recklessly, there’s a accountability to acknowledge the hazard posed to others and take accountability,” Creuzot stated. “A car within the mistaken arms might be as harmful as any weapon. We’re extraordinarily lucky that no lives have been misplaced that day, and Mr. Rice is lucky to have walked away unhurt. We hope he takes this as a chance to mature and leads by instance shifting ahead. I want him the very best in making safer decisions.”
Rice, 25, suffered a torn proper ACL in Week 4 final season and missed the rest of the Chiefs’ AFC championship marketing campaign. The Chiefs count on the 2023 second-round draft choose to be wholesome when coaching camp begins subsequent week.
Rice is from the Dallas space. He performed for SMU in Dallas and grew up within the Fort Price suburb of North Richland Hills. He was the second-leading receiver on Kansas Metropolis’s Tremendous Bowl-winning crew in 2023 and has 9 landing catches in 20 profession video games.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
