Georgia star and top NFL Draft prospect Jalen Carter was involved in the Jan. 15 car crash that claimed the lives of sophomore teammate Devin Willock and recruiting coordinator Chandler LeCroy, according to police, who say the group sped through the streets in their vehicles. of Athens was racing. time.
As a result, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for 21-year-old Carter, who is now charged with reckless driving and racing. The case is transferred to Georgia’s Solicitor General.
The investigation found that Chandler LeCroy, driver of the 2021 Ford Expedition, and Jalen Carter, driver of a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk, were driving their vehicles in a manner consistent with racing shortly after they crossed downtown Athens at around 2:30 a.m. had left. reads the statement from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.
Carter, who is expected to be one of the first players selected in next month’s NFL Draft, previously told police he was a mile away from the crash. vehicle at the time of the collision.
He left the scene of the crash before police or medical responders arrived, returned an hour and a half later and denied racing, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Georgia defensive tackle and top NFL Draft prospect Jalen Carter becomes involved in the car accident that killed offensive lineman Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy, a 24-year-old recruiting coordinator, is now the subject of an arrest warrant in Athens
The crash in January killed football player Devin Willock and staffer Chandler LeCroy of Georgia
Carter’s presence in the January 15 crash was not reported until the AJC published his piece on Wednesday. Previously, officials worked under the belief that it was a single-vehicle accident caused by LeCroy’s speed.
But officers eventually obtained surveillance video from cameras owned by the city and a business owner, though authorities have declined to release the footage that references the ongoing investigation.
Now police say both cars – Carter’s and LeCroy’s – were racing against each other in the hours following the Bulldogs parade, in celebration of the team’s second straight national championship.
“Evidence showed that both vehicles changed lanes, entered the center exit lane, entered opposite lanes, overtook other motorists and were traveling at high speeds, in an apparent attempt to outrun each other,” the statement continued. .
“There is evidence that the expedition was traveling at about 104 miles per hour shortly before the crash. The toxicology report indicated that Leroy’s blood alcohol concentration was .197 at the time of the crash. Investigators determined that alcohol abuse, racing, reckless driving and speed were factors in the accident.’
In addition to 24-year-old LeCroy, a Bulldogs recruiting coordinator, and 20-year-old Willock, a promising offensive lineman, another recruiting assistant, Tory Bowles, 26, and 21-year-old offensive lineman Warren McClendon were also injured.
Police have obtained surveillance videos from cameras owned by the city and a business owner, though authorities have refused to release the footage referencing the ongoing investigation
In addition to LeCroy, 24, a Bulldogs recruiting coordinator, and Willock, 20, a promising offensive lineman, another recruiting assistant, Tory Bowles, 26, and Warren McClendon, 21, were also injured in the wreckage of January 15
Carter was supposed to train at the pre-draft scouting group in Indianapolis this year, but his agent Drew Rosenhaus said his client will instead use the first week of March to conduct separate interviews with teams and undergo a physical exam, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
In January, Carter announced his decision to turn pro and enter the 2023 draft after sending Georgia to a second consecutive College Football Playoff National Championship.
Rosenhaus did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment Wednesday morning.
Carter isn’t the only Georgia player charged with reckless driving.
Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson, a sophomore, was arrested last week on charges of racing on the city streets and reckless driving, according to the Athens-Clarke County Jail’s booking records.
The alleged incident occurred on January 10 — a day after Georgia defeated TCU in the College Football Playoff national championship game in Los Angeles.
A finalist for the Butkus Award, given annually to college football’s top linebacker, Dumas-Johnson placed second to the Bulldogs in 70 total tackles as Georgia won its second straight national title last season.
He was also a 2022 first-team All-American.
In addition, Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett IV was arrested in Athens on January 29 for public intoxication.
Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Georgia linebacker and NFL prospect, has been arrested on suspicion of racing on city streets and reckless driving, according to Athens-Clarke County Jail booking records
