Arrest warrants issued for Jalen Carter in fatal crash investigation

Arrest warrants have been issued for Georgia football’s Jalen Carter as a result of the investigation into the fatal crash that resulted in the deaths of UGA football offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staff member Chandler LeCroy.

The announcement was made on Wednesday morning, just before Jalen Carter was scheduled to meet with the media at the 2023 NFL Combine.

Per the announcement, Carter was driving a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk while LeCroy was driving a 2021 Ford Expedition “…in a manner consistent with racing shortly after leaving the downtown Athens area at about 2:30 AM.” The fatal crash occurred on January 15, 2023.

Arrest warrants issued for Carter include reckless driving and racing, both of which are misdemeanors.

Below is the full statement from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department:

The vehicle that Lecroy was driving was owned by UGA and was not authorized for personal use, according to UGA director of athletics Josh Brooks.

“I’d like to emphasize that these individuals were not engaged in athletic department duties at or around the time of this incident,” Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks said at an athletic board meeting on Feb. 7. “The car driven in the accident was one of several vehicles leased by our athletic department for use during recruiting activities only. The policies and expectations were all understood by the staff and dictated that steps were taken to be turned in at the conclusion of their recruiting duties. Personal use was strictly prohibited; therefore, the continued use of leased cars by our staff after their recruiting duties had ended earlier that evening was unauthorized.”

UPDATE: Below are statements from Kirby Smart and Jalen Carter

Head Coach Kirby Smart

“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.”

Jalen Carter

“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 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.”