Ireland Man sentenced for dangerous driving causing death in Celbridge
Jake Kelly, a man aged 21 (reports differ: 22), was sentenced on 16 December 2025 to seven and a half years in prison, with the final year suspended, for dangerous driving causing the death of his friend Ross Rice, a man in his early 20s (reports differ: 22), in Celbridge, Co Kildare. Kelly was driving Rice's car at speed into the back of a stationary articulated lorry at temporary traffic lights on the R403 at around 10.50pm on 18 July 2023, and walked away from the scene while Rice lay dead in the passenger seat. Rice died instantly of blunt force head and chest injuries, and his body was discovered a couple of hours after the crash; Kelly was located at his girlfriend's home in Tallaght on 26 July. Kelly pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 25 November 2025 to dangerous driving causing death, failing to report a crash, and driving without insurance, and was remanded in custody until sentencing.
- Reported19 Jul
4 reports - Arrested28 Jul
3 reports - Chargednot reported
- In court25 Nov
- Convicted25 Nov
3 reports - Sentenced16 Dec
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A car driven by Jake Kelly crashed at speed into the back of a stationary articulated lorry at temporary traffic lights, killing passenger Ross Rice.
- Where
- The collision occurred on the R403 (Dublin Road) in Celbridge, Co Kildare.
- When
- The collision happened at around 10.50pm on Tuesday 18 July 2023.
- Cause
- Rice died instantly of blunt force head and chest injuries.
- Weapon
- The speedometer was found stopped at 162km/h (one report says 160km/h) in a 60km/h zone due to roadworks.
- Investigation
- A man in his late teens was arrested on 26 July 2023 and released without charge; Kelly was located at his girlfriend's home in Tallaght the same day.
- Charges
- Kelly pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death, failing to report a crash, and driving without insurance.
- In court
- Kelly pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 25 November 2025 and was remanded in custody until sentencing.
- Sentence
- Judge Martina Baxter sentenced Kelly to seven and a half years on 16 December 2025, suspending the final year, and disqualified him from driving for eight years.
- Other details
- Kelly was driving Rice's car because Rice had been disqualified; cannabis was involved at the time of the incident.
- Rice was from Cherry Orchard, south west Dublin, and had an 11-month-old baby with his partner when he was killed.
- Kelly walked away from the scene, phoned Rice's sister to say there had been a crash, and did not go to hospital.
128 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA young man was killed in a collision between a truck and a car in Kildare on Tuesday night. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe young man was a passenger in the car. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe driver of the car failed to remain at the scene. (offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com)
- whatA passenger from the car, a man in his 20s, was fatally injured. (offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com)
- whatThe male driver of the truck, aged in his 30s, was uninjured. (offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com)
- whatThe collision involved a truck and a car. (kildarenow.com)
- whatGardaí are searching for the driver who fled the scene of a fatal crash. (extra.ie)
- whatRoss Rice, in his early 20s, died in the collision. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRoss Rice was a passenger in a car that collided with a lorry. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe lorry driver was uninjured. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe driver of the car fled the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRoss Rice died in the crash in Celbridge. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatA fatal road traffic collision involved a truck and a car. (kildarenow.com)
- whatJake Kelly pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death, driving without insurance and failing to report an accident. (rte.ie)
- whatRoss Rice was killed instantly. (rte.ie)
- whatThe car Kelly was driving collided with a stationary tractor and trailer set at temporary traffic lights. (gript.ie)
- whatWitnesses reported seeing Kelly get out of the vehicle through the driver side window before he left the scene. (gript.ie)
- whatRoss Rice died in the crash. (kildarenow.com)
- whatKelly crashed his car at speed into the back of an articulated lorry. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKelly walked away from the scene where his friend was dead in the passenger seat. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKelly crashed a car at speed into the back of an articulated lorry (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe walked away from the scene while his friend lay dead in the passenger seat (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe car was trapped underneath the lorry trailer after the crash (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe passenger side of the car was covered in hot tar that poured out of the lorry upon impact (irishtimes.com)
- whatEmergency responders were not aware there was a passenger in the car (irishtimes.com)
- whatRice's body was discovered a couple of hours after the crash (irishtimes.com)
- whatKelly told gardaí he was not sure if his friend had got out and thought he might be in the fields (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe two friends were going hunting that night (irishtimes.com)
- whatTwo lurcher dogs were found in the boot of the car (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe speedometer was found stopped at 162km/h (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe speed limit was 60km/h at the time due to ongoing roadworks (irishtimes.com)
- whatJake Kelly was sentenced to six and a half years in jail for causing the death of his friend Ross Rice through dangerous driving. (gript.ie)
- whereThe collision occurred on the R403 in Celbridge, Co Kildare. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe collision happened on the R403 in Celbridge, Co Kildare. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe crash happened in County Kildare. (extra.ie)
- whereThe collision was on the R403 in Celbridge, County Kildare. (kildarenow.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe car Ross Rice was a passenger in collided with a lorry on the R403 in Celbridge. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe collision happened on the R403 in Celbridge. (kildarenow.com)
- whereThe crash happened at Celbridge in Co Kildare. (rte.ie)
- whereThe crash happened on the R403 in Celbridge, Co Kildare. (gript.ie)
- whereThe crash happened on Dublin Road, Celbridge, Co Kildare. (kildarenow.com, irishtimes.com)
- whereThe car collided with a stationary tractor and trailer set at temporary traffic lights on the R403 in Celbridge, Kildare. (gript.ie)
- whenThe collision happened at around 10.50pm. (offalyexpress.ie, kildarenow.com)
- whenThe collision occurred on Tuesday night at around 10.50pm. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe collision happened on Tuesday night, 18 July 2023. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe collision happened on Tuesday 18 July 2023 at around 10.50pm. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe collision happened at about 10:50pm on Tuesday 18 July 2023. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe collision occurred at about 10:50pm on Tuesday, 18 July. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe crash took place in July 2023. (rte.ie)
- whenThe crash happened on 18 July 2023 after 10pm. (gript.ie)
- whenThe crash happened on 18 July 2023. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe crash happened on July 18th, 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe crash occurred in July 2023 (irishtimes.com)
- causeThe car slammed into the back of a lorry that had stopped at temporary traffic lights on road works. (rte.ie)
- causeKelly is said to have caused Rice's death through dangerous driving. (gript.ie)
- causeKelly's car crashed into the back of a lorry trailer at speed. (kildarenow.com)
- causeThe Toyota Avensis driven by Kelly crashed into the back of the lorry trailer, shunting it forward 1.4 metres. (kildarenow.com)
- causeThe court heard Ross Rice died of blunt force head and chest injuries. (irishtimes.com)
- causeRice died of blunt force head and chest injuries (irishtimes.com)
- causeRice's death was instantaneous (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe scene was preserved for a technical examination conducted on Wednesday morning. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage from road users in the area. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe scene was preserved for a technical examination, which was conducted the following morning. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationGardaí are appealing to anyone with information to come forward. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationRoad users with camera footage, including dash-cam, are asked to give it to gardaí. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationThe scene was preserved for a technical examination, conducted this morning. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationRoad users with camera or dash-cam footage are asked to give it to gardaí. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationAnyone with information is asked to contact Leixlip Garda station. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationA man in his late teens was arrested on 26 July 2023 as part of the investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe man arrested was released without charge, and a file will go to the DPP. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for a taxi driver who was travelling on the R403 at about 11pm on 18 July 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses to the collision. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested a man in his late teens on 26 July as part of the investigation. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for a taxi driver who was believed to be on the R403 at about 11pm. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGardaí are asking road users with camera footage from the R403 in Celbridge between 10:30pm and 11:15pm to come forward. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGardaí in Leixlip are continuing to investigate the collision. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationA man in his late teens was arrested as part of the investigation and detained at a Garda station in the Eastern Region. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationThe man arrested was released without charge, and a file will be prepared for the DPP. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationGardaí are appealing for a taxi driver to come forward. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationGardaí believe the taxi driver was travelling on the R403 between Celbridge and Lucan at about 11pm on 18 July. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationWhen gardaí asked about the clothes he wore on the night of the crash, Kelly directed them to where they could be found through his mother. (gript.ie)
- investigationKelly was arrested a couple of days after the crash. (kildarenow.com, irishtimes.com)
- investigationKelly assisted gardaí with the search of his home. (kildarenow.com)
- investigationGardaí responded to reports of a crash at around 10.40pm that night. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationOn 26 July, Kelly was located at his girlfriend's home in Tallaght, and he directed Gardaí to his clothes from the night of the crash through his mother. (gript.ie)
- chargeKelly pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Rice. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeKelly also pleaded guilty to failing to report an accident and driving without insurance. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeKelly pleaded guilty to one count of dangerous driving causing the death of Mr Rice. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeKelly also pleaded guilty to failing to report a crash and driving without insurance. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeKelly pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Rice at Dublin Road, Celbridge, Co. Kildare on 18 July 2023 (irishtimes.com)
- chargeKelly pleaded guilty to failing to report a crash (irishtimes.com)
- chargeKelly pleaded guilty to driving without insurance (irishtimes.com)
- courtVictim impact statements from Mr Rice's family were handed in but not read out. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Martina Baxter said she wanted time to consider the matter. (rte.ie)
- courtKelly was remanded in custody until 11 December. (rte.ie)
- courtKelly was remanded in custody until the next date. (gript.ie)
- courtDefence counsel said Kelly accepts he is at fault for the accident. (kildarenow.com)
- courtJudge Baxter adjourned sentencing to December 11th. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Central Criminal Court heard the facts of the case. (gript.ie)
- sentenceKelly will be sentenced next month. (rte.ie)
- sentenceJudge Baxter accepted Kelly's remorse was genuine and set a sentence of seven and a half years, suspending the final year. (gript.ie)
- otherThe road has reopened. (kildarenow.com)
- otherRoss Rice was from Cherry Orchard in south west Dublin and had become a father for the first time in August 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe driver of the car Ross Rice was in fled the scene. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherRoss Rice was from Cherry Orchard and had become a father for the first time in August of the previous year. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe speedometer of the car had stopped at 160km/h. (rte.ie)
- otherKelly walked away from the area and later contacted Mr Rice's sister and partner to say there had been a crash. (rte.ie)
- otherThe two men had gone out fox hunting at night and had two lurcher dogs in the boot of the car. (rte.ie)
- otherKelly's defence said he had fully accepted responsibility and was deeply remorseful. (rte.ie)
- otherKelly was driving Rice's car, and Rice had been disqualified. (gript.ie)
- otherCannabis was involved at the time of the incident. (gript.ie)
- otherAfter the crash Kelly phoned Rice's sister, said there had been an accident, and did not go to hospital. (gript.ie)
- otherThe speedometer of the car was found stopped at 162km/hour. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe speed limit on the road is 60km/h. (kildarenow.com)
- otherRoss Rice's death was instantaneous. (kildarenow.com)
- otherKelly was helped out of the driver's seat by the truck driver and then walked away from the scene. (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe speedometer of the car was found stopped at 162km/h. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe speed limit of the road is 60km/h. (irishtimes.com)
- otherFour victim impact statements were handed into court but not read aloud. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKelly was on bail at the time for other offences which were later struck out (irishtimes.com)
- otherKelly had no driving licence (irishtimes.com)
- otherRice had an 11-month-old baby with his partner when he was killed (irishtimes.com)
- otherKelly and Rice had agreed to meet to go hunting, and Kelly was driving the victim's car because Rice had been disqualified. (gript.ie)
- otherWitnesses reported seeing Kelly get out of the car through the driver side window and leave the scene. (gript.ie)
- otherEmergency services were not aware that Rice was in the vehicle. (gript.ie)
- otherAfter the crash Kelly phoned Rice's sister, said there had been an accident and that he was 'in bits', but did not go to hospital. (gript.ie)
- otherDefence counsel said Kelly has been severely depressed since the incident and would almost have preferred if he had died instead. (gript.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 16 Dec2025Man who caused death of friend jailed for 6.5yrs - Gript
Adds the sentencing hearing: Judge Martina Baxter set a sentence of seven and a half years with the final year suspended, and Kelly is now described as 21. It also adds details of the aftermath, including that Kelly called Rice's sister, did not go to hospital, and was located at his girlfriend's home on 26 July.
victim, Ross Rice, male, irish (judged from name)Ross Riceconvicted, Jake Kelly, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jake Kelly - 16 Dec2025Man who left dead friend in crashed car jailed for more than six years
Sentencing report: Kelly pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death, failing to report a crash, and driving without insurance. Sentenced to 7½ years with the final year suspended, disqualified from driving for eight years, and ordered to complete a speed awareness programme.
victim, Ross Rice, 22, male, irish (judged from name)Ross Riceconvicted, Jake Kelly, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jake Kelly - 25 Nov2025Man who crashed into lorry walked away from scene with friend dead in car, court hears
Court report on the guilty pleas and adjournment for sentence. Adds the guilty pleas, the failing-to-report and no-insurance charges, the adjournment to December 11th, the remand in custody, and details of the crash and the victim's death. No existing case in the list matches this incident.
victim, Ross Rice, male, irish (judged from name)Ross Riceconvicted, Jake Kelly, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jake Kelly - 25 Nov2025Man walked away from Kildare crash as his friend lay dead - court hears
Reports the guilty pleas entered at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the prosecution and defence accounts of the crash and of Kelly leaving the scene, and mitigation. Sentence was adjourned to December 11 with Kelly remanded in custody; the existing case records the eventual sentence.
victim, Ross Rice, male, irish (judged from name)Ross Riceconvicted, Jake Kelly, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jake Kelly - 25 Nov2025Man who caused death of friend remanded in custody - Gript
Court report on the remand hearing before sentencing. Adds that Kelly was remanded in custody, sentencing was adjourned to 11 December, and details of the crash, the fleeing and the cannabis involvement.
accused, Jake Kelly, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jake Kellyvictim, Ross Rice, male, irish (judged from name)Ross Rice - 25 Nov2025Man to be sentenced for dangerous driving causing death
Reports Kelly's guilty pleas at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the court's account of the crash, the victim impact statements and the defence's mitigation, and that sentencing was deferred with Kelly remanded in custody until 11 December.
convicted, Jake Kelly, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jake Kellyvictim, Ross Rice, male, irish (judged from name)Ross Rice - 29 Jul2023Gardaí investigating fatal collision in Kildare want to speak to taxi driver
Gardaí in Leixlip are continuing the investigation and appealing for a taxi driver believed to have been on the R403 at about 11pm. A man in his late teens arrested on Tuesday was released without charge, and a file will go to the DPP.
victim, 20s, malesuspect, late teens, male - 28 Jul2023Gardai seek taxi driver's help after fatal crash killed young Dublin dad
First report of the case in this set. A man in his late teens was arrested on 26 July and later released without charge, and a file is to go to the DPP. Gardaí are appealing for a taxi driver and dash-cam footage.
victim, Ross Rice, early 20s, male, irish (judged from name)Ross Ricesuspect, late teens, male - 28 Jul2023Gardai urgently seek taxi driver’s help in connection with fatal hit-and-run
Gardaí appeal for a taxi driver and witnesses. A man in his late teens was arrested on 26 July and released without charge; a file is to go to the DPP.
victim, Ross Rice, early 20s, male, irish (judged from name)Ross Ricesuspect, late teens, male - 26 Jul2023Kildare gardaí appealing for witnesses following fatal road traffic collision in Celbridge
Adds the truck driver's age and that he was uninjured, the scene examination, the road reopening, and a public appeal for witnesses and dash-cam footage with a contact number. Does not mention any arrest.
victim, 20s, malesuspect - 20 Jul2023Gardai Searching For Driver After They Flee Scene Of Fatal Kildare Crash
The article body is missing; only the headline and a template fragment were supplied. The headline reports that gardaí are searching for the driver after they fled the scene of a fatal Kildare crash, which matches existing case 20152.
suspect - 20 Jul2023KILDARE: Garda investigation after car driver fails to remain at scene of fatal collision
Adds that the scene was preserved for a technical examination, which was carried out the following morning, and that the road has reopened. Confirms the collision involved a truck and a car, and gives the Leixlip Garda station contact details for information.
victim, 20s, malesuspect - 19 Jul2023Driver fails to remain at the scene after young man killed in two vehicle collision in Kildare
Adds that the scene was preserved for a technical examination conducted on Wednesday morning, and that Gardaí specifically asked road users with camera or dash-cam footage to make it available, providing contact details for Leixlip Garda station and the Garda Confidential Line.
victim, 20s, malesuspect