Jalen Carter, a defensive tackle for Georgia and one of the top prospects in the next NFL draught, has been charged with reckless driving and racing in connection with the collision that claimed the lives of offensive lineman Devin Willock and a member of the recruiting team.
According to an arrest warrant issued by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday, Chandler LeCroy, 24, a recruitment staffer, was involved in the Jan. 15 collision because he was racing Carter’s 2021 Jeep Trackhawk against it.
According to Lt. Shaun Barnett of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, Carter is anticipated to answer the arrest warrant when he returns to Athens. Carter was scheduled to travel to Indianapolis on Wednesday for the NFL scouting combine.
In an email to the AP, Barnett stated, “It is my understanding that Mr. Carter is making arrangements to surrender himself in.
In a message posted to his Twitter account, Carter, one of six players who missed the scheduled media interviews at the combine on Wednesday, stated that he anticipates being “completely exonerated of any criminal conduct.”Earlier this morning, I got a call.
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two misdemeanour warrants for racing and reckless driving have been issued against me, I received a letter from the Athens, Georgia, police department advising me of this,” Carter stated. “Numerous media reports with false information on the sad events of January 15, 2023 have also been circulating this morning. I intend to go back to Athens to address the misdemeanour accusations brought against me and to make sure the whole truth is told. In my opinion, I will be completely cleared of any criminal activity once all the information is available.
LeCroy and Willock were killed in the collision, which happened just hours after the Bulldogs celebrated their second consecutive national championship with a parade and celebration.
Kirby Smart, the Georgia coach, conveyed his worry the allegations in a statement released on Wednesday.
The accusations made today are quite troubling, especially in light of the fact that our community is still reeling from the tragic deaths of two cherished members, according to Smart.
We will continue to provide these families with support and completely collaborate with the authorities as we consider the lessons that can be drawn from this terrible incident.
LeCroy and Carter were operating their automobiles “in a manner consistent with racing” after leaving downtown Athens at around 2:30 a.m., the Athens police investigation discovered, according to the arrest warrant.
Jalen Carter
Evidence, according to the search request, demonstrates that the vehicles changed lanes, drove in the centre turn lane, drove in opposite lanes, passed other vehicles, and travelled at high speeds “in an apparent attempt to outdistance each other.”
According to police, LeCroy’s Expedition was moving at a speed of around 104 mph (167 kph) just before the collision. According to the search warrant, LeCroy had a blood alcohol content of.197 at the time of the collision. Georgia’s legal limit is.08.
The 20-year-old Willock was declared dead at the site of the collision. LeCroy was taken to a hospital, where she later passed away from her wounds.
When discussing Willock at the scouting combine on Wednesday, Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith broke down in tears.
Smith declared, “This is the first time I’m talking about it. “I like that guy. That’s one person who has never broken the law. Only because I adore him makes me sensitive when I talk about it. In his three years, he did nothing wrong.”
Warren McClendon, an offensive lineman, who had just declared his intention to enrol the NFL draught, was hurt in the collision but only slightly. Victoria Bowles, a Georgia football staff member, was admitted to the hospital with more severe wounds.
A Georgia athlete has been charged with racing and speeding in several recent incidents, not only the accident on January 15. Jamon Dumas-Johnson, a linebacker and the second-leading tackler in 2022, was detained on February 22 on suspicion of speeding and careless driving.
Records from the Athens-Clarke County jail show that Dumas-Johnson was freed on February 23 after paying a total bond of $4,000, which included $2,500 for allegedly racing on public roads and $1,500 for allegedly driving recklessly.
On January 28, representatives from the Georgia athletic department stated that LeCroy’s car was only intended to be utilised for recruiting purposes.