Jalen Carter, a top-five prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft, was booked with misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing for his involvement in a car crash that left a Georgia football player and recruiting analyst dead.
On January 15th, Georgia football player Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy died in what was believed to be a singular-car accident as a result of speeding. However, toxicology reports revealed that LeCroy was driving with a blood alcohol concentration of over double the legal limit. As the situation was investigated further, police discovered Carter initially mislead the police and had a strong connection to the accident.
Following the crash, the NFL prospect arrived at the scene an hour later and gave a statement. But, police went on to analyze a surveillance video that showed Carter’s 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk alongside LeCroy’s rented Ford Explorer at the time of the crash.
“The evidence demonstrated that both vehicles switched between 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 Athens-Clarke County Police Department said in a statement, according to CBS.
They added the information, “Evidence indicated that shortly before the crash, the Expedition was traveling at about 104 miles per hour.”
After this evidence was made aware to the police, a warrant for Carter’s arrest was issued by the ACCPD. Turning himself in 30 minutes before midnight on Wednesday night, he was booked on misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing. He made bond 16 minutes later.
Jalen Carter denies any involvement in the car accident that left his fellow teammate dead.
Taking to Twitter, the college football star released a statement that openly discussed his warrant but believed the media was reporting “inaccurate information” regarding his involvement in the crash.
“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,” Carter wrote. “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.”
Georgia coach Kirby Smart also released a statement discussing the community’s loss. “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,” he said. “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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