NATIONAL NEWS

UGA football standout Jalen Carter turns himself in on charges related to crash that killed teammate, team staffer

Mar 2, 2023, 4:42 PM
Profile and side image of Jalen Carter....
University of Georgia defensive stand out, Jalen Carter, was on the scene the night of the fatal crash that killed UGA staffer, Chandler LeCroy, and fellow player, Devin Willock. (CNN)
(CNN)

(CNN) — University of Georgia football standout Jalen Carter surrendered to police in Athens, Georgia, Wednesday night on charges related to a crash that killed his teammate and a team staffer hours after they celebrated the Bulldogs’ national championship victory.

Carter — who has been projected as a top pick in the NFL draft next month — turned himself in at the Athens-Clarke County Jail on charges of reckless driving and racing, jail records show. He was booked at 11:33 p.m. and released a short time later at 11:49 p.m.

More than four months before the fatal January 15 crash, Carter was issued three traffic citations — including one for speeding at nearly twice the legal limit, according to documents and body camera video obtained by CNN from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

Carter’s teammate Devin Willock and football team staff member Chandler LeCroy were killed in the January crash, which happened hours after the team participated in a parade through campus to celebrate its second consecutive national title.

LeCroy was driving a Ford SUV near the campus with Willock and two other members of the football program also in the vehicle, police have said. The SUV was traveling “about 104 miles per hour” before it veered off the road and slammed into two power poles and several trees, Athens-Clarke County police said.

Authorities said Carter was driving a separate vehicle and he and LeCroy appeared to be racing.

“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,” Athens-Clarke County police said.

Carter responded to the allegations in a statement posted on his verified Twitter account Wednesday, writing, “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.

“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,” he wrote.

Carter spoke to police the night of the crash, according to Lt. Shaun Barnett of the Athens-Clarke County police.

Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart said the charges announced against Carter 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,” Smart said in a written statement.

Investigators have also said alcohol appeared to be a factor in the deadly crash.

Toxicology results show LeCroy, who was driving a university vehicle not authorized for use at the time of the crash, had a blood alcohol concentration of .197 — more than twice the legal limit in Georgia, police said.

Willock was ejected and died at the scene and LeCroy died at a local hospital. The two other passengers in the vehicle were injured, officials said.

Carter ticketed for speeding months before fatal crash

Months before the deaths, on September 22, Carter is stopped for speeding. An officer is heard on body camera footage telling him that he is “reckless,” and issues three traffic tickets

One ticket showed Carter was driving at 89 mph in a 45 mph zone. A second ticket cited him for having “material affixed” to his car which “obstructs vision.” A third citation was for an illegal windshield tint.

Bodycam video from the stop showed Carter in the driver’s seat of a Black Jeep. The officer held up a radar gun showing a speed of 89 mph, according to the video.

Carter is seen on video, expressionless, as the officer named two other UGA athletes who he said he had recently stopped.

“Y’all need to slow down dude,” the officer is heard telling Carter, who didn’t respond.

“Look I don’t know if y’all need to send out a text or something to other teammates, but slow down,” the officer said, adding, “That was reckless.”

“When you’re around your teammates, tell them to slow down,” the officer said.

The officer then tested the tint on Carter’s vehicle — which he said is illegal in the state of Georgia. “The front windshield can’t have nothing on it. No material on it whatsoever, OK?”

“Your break is you’re not going to jail. That’s your break. Because that would make all kinds of news, alright?” the officer is heard telling Carter in the footage.

The player smiled nervously. “You’re getting a ticket for speeding,” the officer said.

The officer added, “Slow down OK. That’s all I ask.”

CNN attempted to reach Carter’s agent for comment, but they did not return the calls. Records on the deposition of the traffic offenses were not immediately available.

Carter’s a potential No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft

Carter has returned to the NFL combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Carter is not working out at the combine, which is a four-day, invitation-only event for teams to scout draft-eligible talent. It is common for the most highly coveted NFL prospects, like Carter, to attend the combine for activities such as interviews and measurements but not participate in the physical activities.

Both Schefter and Rapoport, each citing an unnamed source, report that Carter returned to finish his interviews, measurements and other activities.

CNN has reached out to Carter’s agents and the NFL for comment.

Carter, who will skip his senior season, has been considered the potential No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft this April. He was a key part of Georgia’s vaunted defense that allowed the fewest rushing yards per game (77.1) in 2022 and was named to several All-America teams.


The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

KSL 5 TV Live

Top Stories

National News

FILE...
Pat Reavy

Polygamous leader made sexually explicit calls from jail to child wives, prosecutors say

Jailhouse communication privileges for a self-proclaimed prophet from Colorado City have been reduced after prosecutors say he made calls to intimidate a witness and engage in sexually explicit conversations with teen girls.
1 day ago
This animation shows images of the far side of the moon, illuminated by the sun, as it crosses betw...
Amy Woodyatt

‘City killer’ asteroid to pass between Earth and moon’s orbits this weekend

The asteroid is on course to pass harmlessly between the orbits of Earth and the moon.
1 day ago
Police investigate at Denver's East High School after a shooting there on Wednesday, March 22, 2023...
Elizabeth Wolfe and Andy Rose

Denver public schools close for mental health day after shooting, as armed guards prepare a return to campuses

Denver Public Schools are closed Friday after a shooting at a high school this week, and the district is taking steps to bring back armed guards to campuses, officials say.
1 day ago
FILE (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)...
Gregory Wallace

Passenger’s death on private jet was not caused by turbulence from weather, NTSB says

Investigators say the violent movements that killed a woman aboard a private jet this month were multiple times the pull of gravity and were not caused by the weather.
1 day ago
Former President Donald Trump...
Jeremy Herb, Kara Scannell and Paula Reid

Trump hush money probe goes quiet after chaotic week

The Manhattan grand jury investigating former President Donald Trump is not concluding this week, with questions swirling over how close the grand jury is to bringing an indictment -- or if it actually will at all.
1 day ago
A layer of inversion keeps the skies grey over Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 26. A small system ...
Jen Christensen

‘Equal opportunity to be healthy’: Stricter air pollution standards would benefit some populations more than others, study says

Everyone benefits when there is less air pollution, but it pays off more for older communities with high poverty rates and those where larger populations of Black people live, regardless of income, a new study finds.
1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...
BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.
Close up of an offset printing machine during production...
Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.
vintage photo of lighting showroom featuring chandeliers, lamps, wall lights and mirrors...
Lighting Design

History of Lighting Design | Over 25 Years of Providing Utah With the Latest Trends and Styles

Read about the history of Lighting Design, a family-owned and operated business that paved the way for the lighting industry in Utah.
Fiber Optical cables connected to an optic ports and Network cables connected to ethernet ports...
Brian Huston, CE and Anthony Perkins, BICSI

Why Every Business Needs a Structured Cabling System

A structured cabling system benefits businesses by giving you faster processing speeds and making your network more efficient and reliable.
notebook with password notes highlighted...
PC Laptops

How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember

Learn how you can create strong passwords that are actually easy to remember! In a short time you can create new ones in seconds.
house with for rent sign posted...
Chase Harrington, president and COO of Entrata

Top 5 Reasons You May Want to Consider Apartment Life Over Owning a Home

There are many benefits of renting that can be overshadowed by the allure of buying a home. Here are five reasons why renting might be right for you.
UGA football standout Jalen Carter turns himself in on charges related to crash that killed teammate, team staffer