Former SMU Cornerback Teddy Knox Hit With $2.88 Million Default Judgment Over Dallas Crash Tied to Rashee Rice Street Race

Former Southern Methodist University cornerback Teddy Knox has been ordered to pay approximately $2.88 million in a default civil judgment stemming from a high-speed March 2024 crash on a Dallas expressway, an incident that also involved Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice. The ruling, entered after Knox failed to respond to the lawsuit, marks one of the first major financial consequences to emerge from a case that has drawn national attention and prompted separate criminal proceedings.

The default judgment against Knox, a former defensive back for SMU, was entered after he did not appear or file a formal answer in a civil action brought by victims of the multi-vehicle wreck. Under Texas civil procedure, when a defendant fails to respond within the statutory window, the court may accept the plaintiff’s factual allegations as true and proceed directly to the damages phase. The approximately $2.88 million award is intended to compensate injured parties for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage arising from the high-speed collision, though collection on such judgments is frequently complicated when defendants lack the assets or insurance coverage to satisfy the full amount.

The crash itself has become one of the more closely watched sports-related legal cases of the past two years. Surveillance and dashcam footage reviewed by Dallas police showed the Lamborghini Urus SUV and a Corvette weaving through traffic at extreme speeds moments before losing control and striking several vehicles. Four people reported injuries, and both Rice and Knox were observed leaving the scene on foot, a fact that played prominently in later criminal filings. Rice, who was entering his second NFL season with the Chiefs at the time, publicly accepted responsibility in a statement days after the incident, though the legal process stretched across more than a year before culminating in his guilty plea.

Looking ahead, separate civil actions remain pending against Rice, who is also named as a defendant in multiple lawsuits tied to the same crash. Legal observers note that the judgment against Knox could influence settlement discussions in those related cases, particularly on questions of shared liability and vehicle ownership doctrines under Texas law. Knox may also pursue a motion to set aside the default judgment if he can demonstrate a meritorious defense and justifiable reason for the failure to respond, though such motions face a high procedural bar. Meanwhile, the NFL has not announced any additional disciplinary action against Rice beyond the six-game suspension he served earlier, and his on-field performance continues to be closely monitored as the Chiefs navigate the current season.