A pair of University of Georgia football players have been arrested for reckless driving, dealing yet another blow to the storied program’s reputation.
On Thursday morning, it was announced that offensive lineman Bo Hughley was involved in a car accident that included failure to maintain lane and reckless driving.
In a separate incident, linebacker Smael Mondon was also charged with reckless driving and racing.
This comes a day after an update was released on a DUI case involving racer Trevor Etienne.
Etienne’s case, which involved charges of driving under the influence in a less than safe manner and driving under the influence while under 21, was dismissed, all while the racer pleaded guilty to one count of reckless driving from an incident that occurred in March.
Two University of Georgia football players have been arrested for driving-related incidents.
Bo Hughley and Smael Mondon have been charged in separate incidents with reckless driving.
That incident took place shortly after Etienne announced his transfer from Florida to Georgia after two seasons.
Coach Kirby Smart said at the time: ‘I want to reiterate first what I said about the kid last week, he’s a great kid from a great family, he’s done a great job since he got here.
“As we all know, young people don’t always make good decisions. He’s embarrassed, he’s upset, it’s a teachable moment and I hope he learns from it. He will be under internal discipline and university discipline.”
Hughley is a freshman, while Mondon is a junior who had 42 solo tackles and three sacks last season.
Coaching issues have plagued the Bulldogs program since it won a national title in January 2023.
Notably, offensive lineman Devin Willock and draft pick Chandler LeCroy were killed in the January 15, 2023 crash in Athens, Georgia, after a reckless driving incident believed to have been caused by street racing. LeCroy was driving the crashed SUV, while reportedly racing defensive tackle Jalen Carter in his car.
LeCroy was allegedly driving at more than 105 mph when the SUV crashed into trees and power lines. His blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.
Carter, who now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, received 12 months probation and a $1,000 fine after pleading guilty to reckless driving charges. He was stopped by police and given a warning for speeding just months earlier.
An image of the wreckage from the crash that killed Chandler LeCroy and Devin Willock in 2023
Recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy (left) and offensive lineman Devin Willock were killed in the 2023 crash in Athens, where LeCroy was reportedly competing with defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
Carter received 12 months of probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges.
In September, former Georgia player turned program staff member Jarvis Jones was arrested for speeding and reckless driving.
In total, no fewer than 15 players have been arrested or ticketed for speeding and reckless driving since the fatal crash that killed Willock and LeCroy.
A lawsuit stemming from the fatal crash in July 2023 accused program officials of being negligent because employees regularly drove department vehicles under the influence of alcohol.
Additionally, LeCroy had at least four speeding citations in four counties between 2016 and 2022, at least one of which was reportedly known to program officials.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has maintained that he and his colleagues are working to address the problem, but last year he rejected the idea that different team policies could have prevented the deaths.
“No policy or lack of policy caused this accident,” Smart said. Athens online in 2023.
