Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is under attack for his lack of accountability about a year after his multi-vehicle hit-and-run in Dallas.
The former SMU star is still waiting for eight criminal charges to be presented to a Dallas County grand jury which will decide if the case against him will proceed.
Without an indictment or no bill, Rice and the victims, who are pursuing legal action against him, have been put in limbo.
Amid the pause, one lawyer involved in the civil case insisted that Rice’s stature and his counsel’s position in state politics had ‘undue influence’ in the proceedings.
Kyler Coker, who represents the company that rented out one of the totaled cars in the accident, blamed the delay on the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
‘If this was any other person other than a football player who retained a state senator, then this would’ve gone very different,’ Coker said. ‘ I don’t want everybody to forget about it, and I don’t wanna let the guy off.’
A spokeswoman for the DA’s office declined to comment, citing the pending case, per The Dallas Morning News.
Two vehicles were linked to Rice, 23, during the crash. The cars were speeding on the expressway and lost control, resulting in a crash that involved four other vehicles. The six occupants of both cars fled the scene before authorities arrived.
Rice and SMU cornerback Teddy Knox were identified as the drivers of the vehicles that accounted for the March 30 crash.
The vehicles involved were a Lamborghini sport utility vehicle and a Corvette, the former leased by Rice.
According to police reports, four people sustained minor injuries in the accident.
On April 3, Rice apologized to the injured parties and took responsibility for the accident. Rice’s attorney also said the Chiefs star would ‘do anything in his power’ to bring normalcy back to the victims’ lives.
However, representatives of the victims said Rice is yet to live up to his public promises.
‘Mr. Rice has offered absolutely nothing to make amends,’ said Marc Lenahan, attorney for an Uber passenger injured in the crash. ‘Mr. Rice has apologized, but his lack of actions to match leaves in doubt whether that is sincere or a manipulative and cynical ploy.’
State Sen. Royce West, who represents Rice, called the attorney’s allegations false but declined to elaborate on when Rice last reached out to the victims. West noted that the case is still pending, making it improper to resolve it in the media.
‘What occurred was unfortunate and we’re doing everything that we can in order to make certain that the victims are treated fairly,’ West said. ‘We’re seeking solutions, not fame.’
The Kansas City Chiefs are yet to comment on whether Rice faces disciplinary action from the former Super Bowl champions. Meanwhile, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the incident remains under review.
