Former UGA Star Jalen Carter Arrested in Fatal Crash Investigation
On Wednesday, former University of Georgia All-American defensive tackle Jalen Carter was arrested for reckless driving and racing in connection to a fatal crash that killed teammate Devin Willock and team staffer Chandler LeCroy.[0]
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department said in a statement that the investigation found that Carter and LeCroy, who was driving a university vehicle not authorized for use at the time of the crash, were operating their vehicles in a manner consistent with racing shortly after leaving the downtown Athens area around 2:30 a.m.[1]
The evidence showed that both cars changed lanes, drove in the middle turn lane, went in opposite directions, passed other drivers, and went at high speeds, seeming to try to outpace each other.[2] Toxicology results showed that LeCroy’s blood alcohol concentration was .197 – more than twice the legal limit in Georgia.[3] It was found that alcohol intoxication, racing, careless driving and high speed were major contributing elements to the accident.[4]
Carter was booked into the Athens-Clarke County jail at 11:33 p.m. on Wednesday and released shortly afterward at 11:49 p.m. on $4,000 in bonds.[5] He posted a statement on his Twitter account saying that he was headed back to Athens to face the charges that have been filed against him and that he was confident he would be exonerated.[6]
“The charges announced today are deeply concerning, especially as we are still struggling to cope with the devastating loss of two beloved members of our community,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said in a statement.[7] Going forward, our organization will stay in close contact with the authorities, providing aid to the impacted families while examining what lessons can be drawn from this devastating event.[8]
Carter is considered one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft and is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick.[1] He was a key part of Georgia’s vaunted defense that allowed the fewest rushing yards per game in 2022 and was named to several All-America teams.[9]
As the investigation into the crash continues, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department has urged all motorists to drive responsibly.
0. “5 prospects for Patriots to watch at NFL Combine workouts” WEEI, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/patriots/5-prospects-for-patriots-to-watch-at-nfl-combine-workouts
1. “Top NFL prospect Jalen Carter charged over crash that killed Georgia teammate” The Guardian, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/01/jalen-carter-arrest-warrant-georgia-car-crash-bulldogs-devin-willock
2. “Jalen Carter absent from combine media sessions after arrest warrant; top NFL Draft prospect issues statement” CBS Sports, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jalen-carter-absent-from-combine-media-sessions-after-arrest-warrant-top-nfl-draft-prospect-issues-statement
3. “Alcohol, racing ‘significant factors' in fatal crash, arrest warrants secured for Jalen Carter” Red and Black, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.redandblack.com/uganews/alcohol-racing-significant-factors-in-fatal-crash-arrest-warrants-secured-for-jalen-carter/article_a7a5a742-b844-11ed-b309-ffee6979b4a9.html
4. “Top draft prospect Jalen Carter booked and released for reckless driving, racing in connection with fatal crash” NFL.com, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.nfl.com/news/top-draft-prospect-jalen-carter-subject-of-arrest-warrants-for-reckless-driving-
5. “Jalen Carter, NFL draft prospect, turns himself in on arrest warrant” USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2023/03/02/jalen-carter-nfl-draft-prospect-turns-himself-arrest-warrant/11373912002
6. “Here's what NFL teams are saying about Jalen Carter's draft stock after alleged involvement in tragic crash comes to light” Yahoo Sports, 1 Mar. 2023, https://sports.yahoo.com/heres-what-nfl-teams-are-saying-about-jalen-carters-draft-stock-after-alleged-involvement-in-tragic-crash-comes-to-light-225550322.html
7. “Former Georgia football standout Jalen Carter turns himself in to authorities, released shortly after” WJCL News Savannah, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.wjcl.com/article/former-georgia-football-standout-jalen-carter-turns-himself-in-to-authorities-released-shortly-after/43155787
8. “Jalen Carter releases statement on arrest warrant for racing” NBC Sports, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears/jalen-carter-releases-statement-arrest-warrant-racing
9. “Jalen Carter: UGA football standout turns himself in on charges related to crash that killed teammate and team staffer” CNN, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/02/us/jalen-carter-uga-crash-charges-thursday/index.html
