Kelvin Joseph Jr. Arrested in Connection with Fatal Motorcycle Accident on U.S. Highway 75
DALLAS, TX — Former Dallas Cowboys cornerback and current DC Defenders player in the United Football League (UFL), Kelvin Joseph Jr., has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal motorcycle accident that occurred early Saturday morning on U.S. Highway 75 in Texas. The crash tragically claimed the life of 27-year-old Cody Morris, who was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
According to reports, the 25-year-old Joseph, who was behind the wheel at the time of the collision, contacted police himself to report the incident. When officers arrived, they noted that Joseph exhibited clear signs of intoxication, prompting them to conduct a field sobriety test. Authorities have since confirmed that Joseph has been charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) and causing a collision resulting in injury or death, both serious offenses under Texas law.
Details of the Crash
The accident occurred during the early hours of the morning along a stretch of U.S. Highway 75, a major route that runs through the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Law enforcement reports indicate that Joseph’s vehicle struck Morris, who was operating a motorcycle. The impact was severe, and despite efforts by paramedics, Morris succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Investigators say that excessive speed and impairment are being examined as contributing factors. Toxicology results are pending, but Joseph was taken into custody and later booked into the Dallas County Jail on Saturday afternoon.
A Promising Career Derailed
Kelvin Joseph Jr.’s once-promising football career has faced a series of challenges. A second-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2021, Joseph was viewed as a talented cornerback with great upside coming out of the University of Kentucky. However, after a rocky tenure in Dallas marked by inconsistent play and off-field issues, he was released and cycled through brief stints with other NFL teams before signing with the DC Defenders in the UFL for the 2025 season.
This incident now adds a significant legal and personal hurdle for Joseph, whose name has previously surfaced in troubling headlines. In 2022, Joseph was identified as a person of interest in a murder investigation stemming from a fatal shooting in Dallas. He was later cleared of any wrongdoing in that case, though the scrutiny followed him as he attempted to rebuild his football career.
Remembering Cody Morris
While attention has focused heavily on Joseph’s legal troubles, the most profound tragedy lies in the loss of Cody Morris, a 27-year-old whose life was cut short in a senseless and preventable accident. Friends and family have described Morris as a kind, hard-working individual with a passion for motorcycles and the open road.
A memorial for Morris is being planned by his family, who are now grappling with unimaginable grief. Loved ones have started a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses and to honor his memory.
“This is a heartbreaking moment for our family,” said one relative. “Cody was full of life and had so much ahead of him. No family should have to bury a loved one this way.”
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Ramifications
The Dallas Police Department’s traffic unit is continuing to investigate the crash. Joseph faces potential felony charges, and if convicted, he could be sentenced to significant prison time, fines, and the likely end of his professional football career.
Legal experts have noted that Texas courts take vehicular homicide involving alcohol extremely seriously. If found guilty, Joseph could face 2 to 20 years in prison for intoxication manslaughter, depending on the outcome of the investigation and trial proceedings.
UFL and Team Response
As of now, neither the DC Defenders nor the United Football League have issued a formal statement regarding Joseph’s arrest. However, league insiders suggest that the team is likely to suspend or release him pending the outcome of the legal process.
A Cautionary Tale
This tragic incident underscores the devastating consequences of impaired driving, particularly when involving high-speed collisions and vulnerable motorists like motorcyclists. It serves as a cautionary tale not just for professional athletes but for all drivers about the responsibilities that come with getting behind the wheel.
As the investigation unfolds, the families of both Cody Morris and Kelvin Joseph Jr. are left to navigate two very different but equally painful realities — one marked by sudden loss and the other by legal peril and personal downfall.
Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Cody Morris during this incredibly difficult time. May his memory be a blessing, and may justice be served.