KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mothers Against Drunk Driving has requested a meeting with Kansas City Chiefs leadership after two children were injured in a crash that involved Chiefs Assistant Coach Britt Reid.
MADD National President Alex Otte said in a statement Saturday night that the organization was “heartbroken” to learn about the crash that left one child -- later identified as a 5-year-old girl named Ariel -- in critical condition.
“The fact that this crash involved a coach from a team heading to the Super Bowl on Sunday is a stark reminder to everyone of the dangers on America’s roadways on game day when 35% of all traffic deaths are alcohol related,” Otte said. “As part of MADD’s partnership with the NFL, we will double our efforts with the Kansas City Chiefs to ensure the entire organization, players, staff and its loyal fans understand the irreversible consequences and suffering caused by impaired driving.”
KCPD responded around 9 p.m. Thursday night to the area of Interstate 435 and Stadium Drive, where they said a Chevrolet Impala ran out of gas and was stopped on the side of the entrance ramp with its flashers on. The driver later called a cousin, who arrived in a Chevrolet SUV with a front-seat passenger and two children.
Police said a white Dodge Ram Laramie Sport pickup truck traveling southbound struck the Impala, resulting in the Ariel’s life-threatening injuries and non-life threatening injuries to the 4 year old.
Reid, according to a search warrant application, told an officer he’d had two to three drinks.
Meghan Carter, director of field operations for MADD Missouri and Kansas, also penned a letter to Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt, requesting a meeting to address concerns, “proposed steps going forward” and MADD and the team can work together “to ensure this never happens again.”
“MADD can provide the resources and reasons to never drive impaired, but leadership to end impaired driving must come from within the Kansas City Chiefs Organization from the highest level,” Carter said in the letter. “A careless and selfish decision by a Chiefs coach to drive impaired undermines that message, as well as the integrity of your organization.”
Reid has been an assistant coach with the Chiefs since 2013, when his father Andy Reid became head coach.
NFL and MADD have had an official partnership since 2010.
