Former NFL cornerback Kelvin Joseph faces a second-degree felony charge after allegedly driving while intoxicated and causing a fatal crash that killed 27-year-old motorcyclist Cody Morris in Richardson, Texas.
Key Takeaways
- Former Dallas Cowboys player Kelvin Joseph Jr., 25, was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and Collision Involving Personal Injury or Death after a fatal crash early Saturday morning
- Joseph, who was driving a BMW sedan, contacted police after the collision that killed 27-year-old motorcyclist Cody Morris on North Central Expressway
- Police observed signs of intoxication when speaking with Joseph, leading to his arrest and detention without bond
- This is not Joseph’s first brush with controversy – in 2022, he was involved in an incident where shots were fired from a vehicle he was in, resulting in a fatality
- The incident occurred hours before Joseph was scheduled to play in a United Football League conference championship game with the DC Defenders
Fatal Collision Details
The collision occurred just before 5 a.m. Saturday on North Central Expressway in Richardson, Texas. Joseph, 25, was driving a BMW sedan northbound when he collided with a motorcycle ridden by Cody Morris, a 27-year-old from Plano. Following the crash, Joseph contacted the Plano Police Department to report his involvement. When officers made contact with Joseph, they quickly determined that he was exhibiting signs of intoxication, leading to his immediate arrest.
“Richardson Police Department Officers contacted Joseph and determined he was northbound on North Central Expressway in a BMW sedan when he was involved in a collision with the motorcycle. While speaking with Joseph, officers observed signs of intoxication. Joseph was subsequently arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated (Misdemeanor B) and Collision Involving Personal Injury or Death (2nd Degree Felony),” police stated.
BREAKING: Cowboys 2021 2nd round pick CB Kelvin Joseph Jr. was arrested and charged in a fatal car crash in Texas.
A 27-year-old woman riding a motorcycle died this morning on U.S. Highway 75.
Joseph called police at 5:39 AM and told them he was involved in a crash. Police said… pic.twitter.com/OPT8zPcC7Y
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) June 7, 2025
Joseph’s Football Career
Joseph entered the NFL as a second-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2021 after playing college football at LSU and Kentucky. His professional career has included stints with multiple NFL teams including the Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, and Minnesota Vikings. At the time of the incident, Joseph was playing for the DC Defenders in the United Football League and was scheduled to participate in a conference championship game that same day.
“One person is dead and a former Dallas Cowboys player is under arrest after a deadly motorcycle crash on North Central Expressway in Richardson on Saturday,” DALLAS reported.
This fatal crash is not Joseph’s first encounter with serious legal issues. In 2022, he was involved in an off-field incident where he was a passenger in a vehicle from which shots were fired, resulting in a death. Although Joseph was not identified as the shooter in that case and avoided NFL suspension, this latest incident involving a DWI charge and a fatality is likely to have serious implications for both his legal future and football career.
Legal Consequences and Investigation
Joseph currently faces two charges: Driving While Intoxicated, classified as a Misdemeanor B, and Collision Involving Personal Injury or Death, a second-degree felony that carries potentially severe penalties in Texas. He is being held at the Richardson Jail with no bond set, indicating the seriousness of the charges. The Richardson Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances of the crash and has asked the public to come forward with any information related to the incident.
“Police said while speaking with Joseph, they came to believe he was intoxicated,” Police stated.
The timing of this incident is particularly damaging for Joseph, as it occurred just hours before he was set to participate in an important playoff game with the DC Defenders. This latest legal trouble adds to a troubling pattern of off-field incidents that have now overshadowed his athletic career. For a player who had already bounced between multiple NFL teams, this fatal collision may represent the end of his professional football aspirations.
