Judge Rules Against Co-Defendant in Rashee Rice Crash Lawsuit

Theodore Knox ordered to pay over $2.8 million in damages to victim Kathryn Kuykendall

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:08am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car sensor lens reflecting a faint red light, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a high-speed crash.The default judgment against Knox exposes the legal consequences of reckless driving behavior, even for those associated with professional athletes.Dallas Today

A Texas court has issued a default judgment of more than $2.8 million against Theodore Knox, a co-defendant in one of the lawsuits against Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice. The lawsuit stems from a high-speed crash in March 2024 on North Central Expressway in Dallas, where Rice and Knox were allegedly speeding in two high-end sports cars when they lost control, crashed into multiple vehicles, and fled the scene.

Why it matters

The ruling highlights the legal consequences for those involved in the reckless driving incident that led to injuries and property damage. It also raises questions about accountability for professional athletes and their associates when they engage in dangerous behavior that puts the public at risk.

The details

According to the ESPN report, police said Rice was driving 119 mph in a rented Lamborghini Urus, while Knox was driving 116 mph in a Chevrolet Corvette registered to Rice before slowing to 91 mph about a second before the collision. Rice was previously suspended for six games by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy and was also sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years of probation.

  • The crash occurred in March 2024 on North Central Expressway in Dallas.
  • The court awarded the judgment to victim Kathryn Kuykendall on Wednesday, April 16, 2026.

The players

Rashee Rice

A wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs who was involved in the high-speed crash and faced legal consequences.

Theodore Knox

A co-defendant in the lawsuit against Rashee Rice who was ordered to pay over $2.8 million in damages to the victim, Kathryn Kuykendall.

Kathryn Kuykendall

One of the victims in the crash who was awarded nearly $2.88 million in the default judgment against Theodore Knox.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We've asked the court to grant the default judgment because we're ethically required to as a matter of diligence. Personally, it pleases us that Teddy [Knox] hasn't made further mistakes that we're aware of. If a team gives him a chance to prove that he's walking the right path now, we'll be rooting for him.”

— Marc Lenahan, Kathryn Kuykendall's attorney

What’s next

No court documents pertaining to the Wednesday judgement were immediately available, and Knox was not present for the hearing, with no attorney listed for him in court records. It's unclear if Knox plans to appeal the ruling or take any further legal action.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious legal consequences that can arise from reckless driving behavior, especially when it involves professional athletes and their associates. It also raises questions about accountability and the responsibility of those in the public eye to set a positive example for their fans and the community.