Former Dallas Cowboy Kelvin Joseph sued by family of motorcyclist killed in crash

DALLAS - Former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Kelvin Joseph has been sued after a deadly crash earlier this month.

Joseph was charged with driving while intoxicated and collision involving death for his role in an early morning crash that killed motorcycle rider Cody Morris, a 27-year-old mother of two.

The father of one of Morris' children filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Joseph and two Dallas County clubs.

Kelvin Joseph deadly crash

The backstory:

Just before 5 a.m. on June 7, the Richardson Police Department were called to the crash in the northbound lanes of North Central Expressway near Park Boulevard.

The female motorcycle driver, 27-year-old Cody Morris of Plano, was dead at the scene when police arrived.

Morris leaves behind a husband and two children.

No other vehicles were seen at the site of the crash.

An arrest warrant affidavit for Kelvin Joseph Jr. says the former Cowboys player continued for three miles after the crash before pulling into a gas station in Plano. He waited for almost 40 minutes before calling police.

Joseph, 25, told police he had been in a BMW sedan when he was involved in a crash with the motorcycle. He claimed the motorcycle rider "cut him off."

In documents, police noted that Joseph appeared to be leaning on the BMW to balance himself.

Officers said that Joseph had the odor of alcohol on his breath and glassy, bloodshot eyes.

Joseph failed several field sobriety tests, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. He was arrested.

After his arrest, a smoked marijuana blunt was found inside of Joseph's BMW.

Joseph was charged with driving while intoxicated and collision involving personal injury or death. He posted bond the next day.

Kelvin Joseph lawsuit

Dig deeper:

A wrongful death lawsuit filed in Dallas County court claims gross negligence by Joseph, a Richardson bar and Dallas strip club led to Cody Morris' death.

The civil suit, filed by the father of one of Morris' children, claims Joseph was served alcoholic beverages at two Dallas bars, to the point where "he became visibly intoxicated."

The suit argues Joseph was aware of the risks getting behind the wheel while intoxicated and that the clubs, The Lodge and The Dive on 75, violated Texas law by continuing to serve Joseph when he was "obviously intoxicated."

The plaintiff is seeking over $10 million for pain and mental anguish, medical care, funeral and burial expenses and other damages on behalf of Morris' daughter.

The other side:

A spokesperson for The Lodge told FOX 4 that Joseph has never been to their business.

The owner of Dive on 75 told FOX 4 over the phone Tuesdsay he checked surveillance footage from June 6th and 7th and didn't see Joseph in his business either.

What they're saying:

"We have very reliable information that he was, in fact, at both of those establishments and drinking the night in question before this deadly crash occurred," said the plaintiff's attorney, Brett Hargis of Webster Vicknair Macleod. "He is 25 years old. He played for the Cowboys and had an incredible future in front of him as a professional athlete and he made terrible decisions that night."

Kelvin Joseph

Kelvin Joseph was drafted out of Kentucky by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

The cornerback was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2023. He also spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings.

He most recently played for the UFL's DC Defenders.

Joseph did not play for the team following the crash.

Crime and Public SafetyRichardsonDallasPlano