What to Know
- A Lamborghini and a Corvette were involved in a multi-vehicle hit-and-run crash in Dallas on Saturday where Dallas Police said all of the occupants of the high-end sports cars left the scene without providing information or seeing if anyone needed medical help.
- Both high-end vehicles were tied to NFL player Rashee Rice, who issued a public apology on social media on Wednesday saying he was taking "full responsibility" for his part in the incident.
- Rice's attorney, state Sen. Royce West, said on Thursday that Rice was the driver of the Lamborghini and that they were focused on gathering all of the facts of the case and making the victims whole "as much as possible."
Five days after a hit-and-run crash involving six vehicles on a Dallas freeway, an attorney representing NFL player Rashee Rice says his client was driving one of the luxury sports cars involved in the crash.
"During the interview, Mr. Rice acknowledged that he was driving the Lamborghini," Royce West said. West is Rice's attorney and said they have met with Dallas Police twice. "That was the question that was asked. And he responded to that, that he was driving the Lamborghini."
On Thursday afternoon, West added that his client is taking "full responsibility" for his part in the incident.
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"Rashee was not running for anybody, trying to hide from anyone but wanted to cooperate, which we've done," West said.
The multi-vehicle crash happened Saturday evening on Central Expressway near University Boulevard and injured four people.
Dashcam video obtained by NBC 5 from a witness showed two high-end sports cars, a rented Lamborghini SUV and a Corvette, speeding past another car with the SUV crashing into a median wall, setting off a chain reaction of collisions that involved four other vehicles.
After the crash, three people were recorded on dashcam video getting out of one of the crashed sports cars and walking away. Pictures obtained by TMZ Sports showed a total of five people leaving the scene.
"We're going to reach out to some of the other attorneys," West said. "Number one, to find out how their clients are doing."
"The occupants of the Lamborghini and the Corvette all ran from the scene without stopping to determine if anyone needed medical help or providing their information," Dallas Police said after the crash. "Two of the involved drivers were treated at the scene by Dallas Fire-Rescue for minor injuries and two occupants of another vehicle were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries."
Both sports cars were quickly linked to Rice. According to attorney Kyle Coker, the $250,000 Lamborghini Uru belongs to a local Dallas-based luxury car rental company, and they had a lease with Rice where he was to be the only driver of that vehicle. A police call sheet obtained by The Dallas Morning News listed Rice as the suspected driver of the Corvette.
On Wednesday afternoon, four days after the crash, Rice published an apology on social media saying he wanted to take "full responsibility" for his part in the matter. The post was stamped with his signature.
"Today I met with Dallas PD investigators regarding Saturday's accident. I take full responsibility for my part in this matter and will continue to cooperate with the necessary authorities. I sincerely apologize to everyone impacted in Saturday's accident."
In his statement Wednesday, Rice did not confirm whether he was behind the wheel of either of the cars and only referred to "my part in this matter." Under direct questioning by reporters during a news conference Thursday afternoon, Rice's attorney, state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, confirmed Rice was driving the Lamborghini when it crashed.
"He's a young man that made a mistake. How many of you have made a mistake? And you're judged by that mistake that you made, is that fair? But, I can tell you this, but for the grace of God, someone could have been injured, I mean seriously injured. He understands that and he appreciates that," West said. "That's why he wanted to come out and say he's going to be responsible for making certain that the victims are made whole, as much as possible."
According to West, Rice may soon speak for himself.
"He will speak," West said. "So, you will get an opportunity to hear from him, hopefully, within the next week."
West said his office reached out to Dallas Police on Sunday and Rice answered all of the questions asked of him by investigators, including telling police he was driving the luxury SUV.
West did not provide a reason why his client left the scene and said it was part of the ongoing investigation. When asked if police had given him any indication when or if charges might be filed, West said, "Yes."
NBC 5 reached out to Dallas Police to confirm whether Rice was considered a suspect. In an email, Dallas Police said, "No charges have been filed at this time."
Dallas Police confirmed to NBC 5 Wednesday that they had spoken with Rice and his lawyer and added that the investigation into the crash was ongoing and that they were talking with witnesses, victims, and “others possibly involved in Saturday’s crash.” Dallas Police have not said whether they have identified any of the other occupants or whether any charges in the hit-and-run crash have been or will be filed.
Victims of the crash told NBC 5 they'll need more than an apology posted on social media. An attorney representing one of the injured passengers said they want the drivers involved held responsible.
"All we want is for the facts to come out, for them to come out sooner rather than later so that we can get going and pursue the claims on behalf of our clients and try to get them made whole at some point," said Tennessee Walker, an attorney representing two of the victims.
On Monday afternoon, Rice's attorney sent a statement to NBC 5 saying the athlete was cooperating with the investigation but offered no other details.
"On behalf of Rashee Rice, his thoughts are with everyone impacted by the automobile accident on Saturday. Rashee is cooperating with local authorities and will take all necessary steps to address this situation responsibly. Any and all requests for comment can be directed to his attorney, Mr. Royce West of West & Associates, LLP."
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said earlier this week that it's standard procedure for the league to monitor developments and to connect with the team "any time there is an incident involving a player or club or league personnel." McCarthy didn't say what, if anything, the league planned to do in their investigation of the incident.
The Associated Press reported the Kansas City Chiefs said they were aware of the crash but declined additional comment.
Rice, who is 23 and grew up in North Richland Hills before playing college football at SMU, was a second-round pick by the Chiefs last year. He had a notable rookie season during the Chiefs' Super Bowl run.
