Former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid, who was imprisoned for driving under the influence and exceeding the speed limit last year, received his sentence on Tuesday. As a result of his actions, which caused a severe brain injury, a five-year-old girl was left injured in the crash.
Reid pleaded guilty to causing serious bodily injury while driving intoxicated. The prosecutors had agreed to ask for a maximum sentence of four years in prison, but the charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. Reid sought probation, opposing the plea deal. The girl’s family had been injured.
Judge Charles H McKenzie pronounced a verdict on Reid on Tuesday and he was scheduled to be placed under arrest.
In February of last year, Reid’s vehicle collided with vehicles on an entrance ramp close to the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium while he was under the influence and driving at approximately 84 mph in a 65 mph area, according to prosecutors. Reid happens to be the offspring of Chiefs coach Andy Reid.
According to authorities, Reid’s blood-alcohol concentration was measured at 0.113% two hours after the collision, surpassing the legal threshold of 0.08%. Ariel Young, a passenger in one of the vehicles, sustained a severe brain injury. A total of six individuals, including Reid, sustained injuries. The initial car that he collided with had come to a stop as a result of a discharged battery, while the second car belonged to Ariel’s mother, who had arrived to offer aid.
Reid’s family issued a statement through their attorney, expressing their outrage that Ariel’s sentencing didn’t comply with the law, which allowed for a full seven years.
No amount of prison time will ever be enough to punish the defendant for the suffering and pain he caused Ariel and her family, given the ongoing difficulties and the statement he made about enduring the rest of her life.
The attorney stated that the court’s decision shows respect for his client, Reid. “He sincerely regrets his behavior and takes full responsibility, and he hopes for Ariel’s continued recovery and prays for it,” the statement said.
Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker of Jackson County said that she was confident that the sentencing of Reid would not be influenced by his fame. She argued during the hearing that Reid should be sentenced to four years because of a series of bad decisions that resulted in long-term pain for her family and Ariel. “I think today justice happened,” said Baker Peters.
Before sentencing, Felicia Miller, the mother of Ariel, read a victim impact statement stating that although her daughter’s actions have improved, she still wears thick glasses, struggles to maintain balance, and drags one of her feet when she walks. She also mentioned that they did not accept Reid’s apologies for his actions and sought probation, stating that the five victims of the crash were offended.
Miller penned, “Is it possible for individuals to become intoxicated and cause a five-year-old to sustain a brain injury and believe that they should receive probation? In what world does this behavior merit probation?” She observed that Reid had a previous conviction and had been incarcerated for driving under the influence.
While delivering his speech, Reid expressed remorse prior to imposing the sentence, directing his gaze towards Ariel and her loved ones. He conveyed that his own family offers nightly prayers for her well-being, and mentioned having a daughter who is of the same age as Ariel.
“I comprehend the perspective of Ms. Miller. I believe I would experience similar emotions,” he expressed.
The team allowed his contract to expire once his job with them came to an end. Following Reid’s emergency surgery for a groin injury after the accident, the Chiefs put him on administrative leave.
Reid’s father served as the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles during that period. Following a sequence of encounters with law enforcement, Reid successfully completed a drug rehabilitation program in Pennsylvania in 2009. This is not Reid’s initial encounter with the legal system.
In November, the Chiefs privately made an agreement with Ariel’s family to take care of the expenses for her continuous medical treatment and any extra costs.