What was Georgia’s Jalen Carter’s role in a fatal car crash that killed his teammate?
Though his future appears to be bright, the Eagles’ No. 9 pick has a recent past that definitely caused concern. We take a look at what he did and what happened.
Having apparently falsified his testimony in relation to a tragic car accident in January, Georgia’s defensive lineman has now found himself at the center of a probe by law enforcement. The accident in question claimed the lives of one of his teammates as well as an analyst.
Arrest warrant issued for No. 1 prospect Jalen Carter
According to reports at the time, former Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, who was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the No. 9 overall pick in the recent 2023 NFL Draft, was issued an arrest warrant in connection with a fatal single-car accident which occurred back on January 15th, six days after the Bulldogs won their second consecutive College Football Playoff National Championship. A fellow Georgia football player, Devin Willock and a recruiting analyst, Chandler Lecroy, were killed in the accident. As per the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, the warrant related to alleged reckless driving and racing, which are both misdemeanors.
Initially, police held to the notion that the crash was caused because LeCroy was driving too fast; however, statements and evidence have since revealed that there were at least two other cars involved, both of which were driven by Georgia football players. Though there is surveillance video, police have declined to release it to the public, citing its relevance to an ongoing investigation.
What do we know about Jalen Carter’s role in the accident
From what we can understand, Carter reportedly misled prosecutors when first interviewed, claiming that he was a mile away from the crash. Later, he would go on to admit that he was beside the car when it crashed and ended the lives of both his 20-year-old teammate and a 24-year-old recruiting analyst. The car was allegedly travelling at 83mph, which is double the legal speed limit.
“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 ACCPD said in a statement. “Evidence indicated that shortly before the crash, the Expedition was traveling at about 104 miles per hour.” The big question that followed, was how would the situation affect the future of a player who was one of the most coveted in the entire 2023 NFL Scouting Combine? Ultimately, though many raised concerns about his character, the Eagles were happy to select him and furthermore defended their choice.
Jalen Carter now faces legal situation
Though Carter pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing, it’s now understood that there is a further twist in the story of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of his teammate and a recruiter. Indeed, reports now indicate that Carter was driving on a suspended license. What’s more is that he is now facing a wrongful death lawsuit which was recently filed by Dave Willock Sr., the father of Carter’s now deceased teammate, Devin Willock. Carter has in fact been named as a defendant in the suit which refers to two additional speeding incidents, including an another 2022 traffic stop which came as a result of Carter allegedly traveling at 89mph in a 45mph zone. The suit is seeking $40 million from the defendants, including $10 million from Carter specifically. That amount “represents what his son would have made if he had gotten to the NFL,” according to reports. Willock, an offensive lineman, appeared in every game Georgia played last season on their way to a national championship.