Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is facing a second civil lawsuit filed by victims of a collision on March 30, which the former SMU star is accused of causing while street racing.
Rice and SMU cornerback Theodore “Teddy” Knox are accused of causing the collision on North Central Expressway while illegally street racing. Video capturing the accident shows a Lamborghini Urus, allegedly driven by Rice, and a Chevrolet Corvette, allegedly driven by Knox, speeding excessively before the Lamborghini went out of control and struck another vehicle as previously reported by The Dallas Express. A chain reaction of collisions then occurred that ultimately involved four other vehicles. Rice has since publically admitted to being behind the wheel of the Lamborghini at the time of the crash.
Rice, Knox, and two unidentified passengers are then seen walking away from the accident without stopping to check on the passengers in other vehicles. Rice and Knox surrendered to police later, but not until arrest warrants were issued for the two football players. Knox has been suspended by SMU, but Rice has yet to face discipline from the Chiefs or the NFL.
The second suit was filed on behalf of Kamlesh Desai who was one of the victims in the collision. Desai was driving a minivan that was involved in the chain reaction collision caused by the Lamborghini. Desai is seeking $1 million in damages and claims to have sustained injuries that could be permanent. Damages include physical and mental pain, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and future medical expenses as reported by KCTV.
Rice and Knox were previously sued by two other victims injured in the collision. Each man also faces eight criminal charges filed by Dallas Police.
Law experts have told the Dallas Morning News that the most serious, aggravated assault, is a somewhat unusual charge in these types of collisions. The charge likely stems from the fact that the two men left the scene of the accident without stopping to offer help to the victims. A conviction could lead to as much as 20 years in jail, though attorneys who spoke to the DMN say that is highly unlikely.
Rice is represented by State Rep. Royce West, who has publicly stated that his client “do everything in his power to bring their life back to as normal as possible,” as reported by CBS News. Rice released a statement on social media taking responsibility for the collision.
Street racing is an ongoing issue in Dallas. In a report by The Dallas Observer, Dallas Police state that in 2022, 4,611 traffic stops occurred as a result of street racing. Laws in the city also apply to people watching races, of which 200 citations were issued that year. Gun violence is frequent at illegal street races. In 2021, Lynetta Washington was shot and killed during a street race. Her case remains unsolved.
Police crackdowns on illegal street takeovers — in which vehicles block off streets while others perform burnouts — and illegal street racing have led to fewer incidences this year, according to The Dallas Observer, but police state that racers have simply moved to other areas or travel to different cities to avoid police in Dallas.