Former Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter turned himself in and was released on bond Wednesday night on two misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing he faces for his alleged role in a car crash that killed teammate Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy in January.
Carter was booked at the Athens-Clarke (Ga.) County jail at 11:33 p.m. ET and released at 11:49 p.m. ET after posting a $4,000 bond for the two charges. The Athens-Clarke County Police Department announced earlier Wednesday that Carter would be charged with reckless driving and racing. Both charges are misdemeanors, a police spokesman told The Athletic.
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Authorities responded to a call on Jan. 15 at 2:45 a.m. ET for a single-vehicle crash in the 900 block of Barnett Shoals Road, according to police. A 2021 Ford Expedition was traveling southbound in the outside lane of the road when the vehicle left the roadway, striking two power poles and several trees. Willock, a passenger, died at the scene as a result of his injuries. LeCroy, the driver, was transported by EMS to a local hospital where she died as a result of her injuries.
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A police investigation found that LeCroy and Carter “were operating their vehicles in a manner consistent with racing shortly after leaving the downtown Athens area at about 2:30 a.m. The evidence demonstrated that both vehicles switched lanes, drove in the center turn lane, drove in opposite lanes of travel, overtook other motorists and drove at high rates of speed, in an apparent attempt to outdistance each other.”
The ACCPD also reported that LeCroy was “traveling at about 104 miles per hour” shortly before the accident and her “blood alcohol concentration was .197 at the time of the crash.”
The investigation concluded that “alcohol impairment, racing, reckless driving and speed were significant contributing factors to the crash.”
Generally, before making charges the police consult with the district attorney, or whoever would be prosecuting the case. So the decision to charge Carter with two misdemeanors and nothing more would have been made jointly by the police and Athens-Clarke County district attorney. While aspects of the crash investigation are ongoing, this appears to represent finality, at least as far as major developments.
Carter released a statement on social media responding to the arrest warrant being issued.
“This morning I received a telephone call from the Athens Georgia Police Department informing me that two misdemeanor warrants have been issued against me for reckless driving and racing,” he said. “Numerous media reports also have circulated this morning containing inaccurate information concerning the tragic events of January 15, 2023. It is my intention to return to Athens to answer the misdemeanor charges against me and to make certain that the complete and accurate truth is presented. There is no question in my mind that when all of the facts are known that I will be fully exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing.”
Coach Kirby Smart issued a statement in response to the investigation findings Wednesday:
“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. We will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities while supporting these families and assessing what we can learn from this horrible tragedy.”
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Carter, a projected first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was at the NFL Scouting Combine but was not participating in the workout portion. An NFL executive speaking on condition of anonymity to The Athletic about the investigation findings said “it’s concerning” and could affect Carter’s draft status.
Carter returned to the combine in Indianapolis after being released and will finish interviews with teams, measurements and other activities, according to reports.
Former Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith was emotional when speaking about Willock’s passing at the combine on Wednesday.
“That’s my guy. That’s one person that never did anything wrong. I get sensitive talking about it just because I love him and he never did anything wrong in his three years,” Smith said.
“He was supposed to graduate. Most people don’t know his brother passed like that. And I’m sorry to his mama. No one should live like that. No one deserves to die like that … Three years in a row that man showed up, worked day in and day out, he’s a two-time natty champ, you know? It’s written in stone. That’s all I’m going to say … Devin, I love you, baby.”
Panthers GM Scott Fitterer, whose team picks No. 9 in the upcoming NFL Draft, told The Athletic there were “no issues” when they met with Carter on Monday.
“I did not know about the situation that came out this morning,” Fitterer said. “I got a text while we were in meetings. I have not talked to our staff. We came right from our interviews over here. But there will be a lot of things to look into. I just don’t want to jump to any conclusions. We’ll let it all play out and make a decision. Luckily, the draft’s not ’til April.”
(Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)