Jalen Carter, Top NFL Draft Prospect Was Issued An Arrest Warrant In Fatal Georgia Crash Case

Jalen Carter, a former Georgia standout and one of the top prospects in next month’s NFL draft, has been charged with speeding and reckless driving in relation to a collision that claimed the lives of a teammate and a member of the recruiting team.

Jalen Carter, Top NFL Draft Prospect Was Issued An Arrest Warrant In Fatal Georgia Crash Case

According to an arrest warrant filed by the Athens-Clarke County (Georgia) Police Department and acquired by The Associated Press on Wednesday, Chandler LeCroy, 24, a recruitment employee, was involved in the Jan. 15 collision because he was racing Carter’s 2021 Jeep Trackhawk against it.

Hours earlier, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution had reported that Carter had been at the site of the collision and had given police conflicting stories of what had happened.

LeCroy and offensive lineman for the Bulldogs Devin Willock were killed in what the authorities at first believed to be a single-vehicle collision.

According to information from the inquiry that was made public on Wednesday, Carter and LeCroy were “driving their vehicles in a manner consistent with racing” just prior to the collision.

In an apparent effort to outdistance one another, both cars switched lanes, drove in the centre turn lane, travelled in opposing directions, passed other vehicles, and drove at high speeds, according to the police statement.

“Alcohol impairment, racing, reckless driving, and speed were important contributing factors to the collision,” according to police investigations. According to a toxicology study, LeCroy had a blood alcohol level of.197 at the time of the collision, which is more than twice the Georgia legal limit.

The SUV driven by LeCroy was traveling about 104 mph shortly before the crash.

At least two cars driven by Georgia football players were at the site, including the Jeep driven by Carter, who left the scene before police or emergency services arrived, according to papers and 911 call records examined by the Journal-Constitution.

Less than two hours later, the article claimed that Carter went back to the site and was questioned by police regarding whether or not he had been racing the car that had collided.

According to records analysed by the Journal-Constitution, Carter initially told police that he had heard the collision.

The Journal-Constitution also acquired security camera footage from other downtown Athens locales captured the evening of the collision. Police have also studied the video, which shows three cars leaving the scene at once: Jamon Dumas-Johnson, a linebacker for the Bulldogs, a 2019 Dodge Charger, and Carter’s Jeep.

A parade and celebration at Sanford Stadium were held to honour the Bulldogs’ back-to-back national championship victories before the accident. On-site medical personnel declared Willock deceased. He was 20. Shortly after being brought to a hospital, LeCroy passed away.

Warren McClendon of the offensive line, who had just declared his intent to join the NFL draught, suffered minor wounds. Victoria Bowles, a Georgia football staff member, was admitted to the hospital with more severe wounds.

According to representatives of the Georgia sports department, LeCroy was only supposed to utilise the Vehicle for recruiting purposes and not for personal use.

According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., Carter is the top draught prospect. He won’t be taking part in the exercise component of the combine, but he will talk to clubs and get a physical.

“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 coach Kirby Smart said in a statement.

“We will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities while supporting these families and assessing what we can learn from this horrible tragedy.”

Carter is a potential No. 1 pick

If the Chicago Bears don’t negotiate a deal with a team looking to choose a quarterback at No. 1 overall, Carter, one of the top defensive players in the NFL draught, might go first overall.

Carter has been crucial to Georgia’s success as the Bulldogs have captured back-to-back national championships. Throughout the previous two seasons, he recorded 18.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. Although Carter remained on the field, he fought with a knee ailment that kept him out for a bit in 2022, yet he was still the subject of frequent double teams. As a junior, he made 32 total tackles in 13 games the previous season.

As Carter was at the NFL combine on Wednesday, the arrest warrant’s notification was made. He was supposed to address the media as part of his participation in the combine on Wednesday morning, but the NFL said Carter was still undergoing medical tests and would not be allowed to speak.

Jalen Carter statement

Carter issued a statement Wednesday afternoon addressing the charges, saying reports were inaccurate and he will be “exonerated” once the facts are known.

“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. Numerous media reports also have circulated this morning containing inaccurate information concerning the tragic events of January 15, 2023. It is my intention to 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.”

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