Missouri Governor Commutes Sentence of Former Chiefs Coach for Drunken Driving Crash

In a decision announced on Friday, Missouri Governor Mike Parson has commuted the prison sentence of former Kansas City Chiefs assistant coach Britt Reid following a drunken driving crash that caused serious injuries to a 5-year-old girl. Reid, who is the son of Chiefs Coach Andy Reid, had been serving a three-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury in November 2022.

Conditions of Commutation

Parson's commutation converts the remainder of Reid's prison sentence to house arrest, subject to several conditions. These conditions include mandatory weekly meetings with a parole officer and peer support sponsor, attending behavioral counseling, working at least 30 hours a week, and completing 10 hours of community service per month, among other requirements. Reid's house arrest will continue until October 31, 2025.

Prosecutors' Allegations

Prosecutors stated that Reid was intoxicated and driving at approximately 84 mph (135 kph) in a 65 mph zone when his Dodge truck collided with cars on an entrance ramp to Interstate 435 near Arrowhead Stadium on February 4, 2021. The crash resulted in injuries to six people, including a traumatic brain injury suffered by 5-year-old Ariel Young, who was inside one of the cars. The tragic incident occurred when one of the vehicles had stalled due to a dead battery, and the second car belonged to Ariel’s mother, who had arrived to offer assistance.

Alcohol Level and Legal Settlement

Reid's blood-alcohol level was reported to be 0.113%, two hours after the crash, exceeding the legal limit of 0.08%. The Kansas City Chiefs reached a confidential agreement with Ariel’s family to cover her ongoing medical treatment and other expenses.

Governor's Decision and Comments

A spokesperson for Governor Parson highlighted several factors that were considered in the commutation decision, including Reid's completion of an alcohol abuse treatment program and the amount of prison time already served. It is worth noting that Parson, a long-time Chiefs season ticket-holder, chose to commute Reid's sentence despite the severity of the incident and the injuries sustained.

Other Clemency Actions

Alongside Reid's commutation, Parson announced two other commutations and 36 pardons, while denying 63 clemency requests. This brings the total number of individuals granted clemency by Parson to more than 760 since 2020, surpassing the actions of any Missouri governor since the 1940s. The governor has been actively working to address a backlog of nearly 3,700 clemency applications, some of which date back to his assumption of office in 2018. Notably, many of those receiving clemency had been convicted decades ago of drug crimes, theft, or burglary and had already completed their prison sentences.

Controversial Pardons

Parson's track record in granting clemency includes a notable exception, with the pardon of Mark and Patricia McCloskey, a St. Louis couple who gained national attention for brandishing guns at racial injustice protesters. The pardons were issued on July 30, 2021, just six weeks after Mark McCloskey pleaded guilty to misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and Patricia McCloskey pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment.