Jalen Carter: Top NFL Draft prospect charged with racing in crash that killed teammate and staffer
ATHENS, GEORGIA: Two misdemeanor warrants have been issued against Jalen Carter, the top 2023 NFL Draft prospect who raced and drove recklessly that led to the crash killing a team staffer and one of his teammates.
Currently in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine, arrest warrants were issued against him in connection with the car crash that took place on January 15. The Ex-Georgia star drove a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk in the morning "in a manner consistent with racing” that killed Devin Willock, the Georgia player, and Chandler LeCroy, a recruiting analyst, according to Athens-Clarke County Police, reported New York Post.
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What led to the crash killing Willock and LeCroy?
In a statement released on Wednesday morning, March 1, detailing the crash that took place in Athens, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department stated, "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," and added, "Evidence indicated that shortly before the crash the Expedition was traveling at about 104 miles per hour."
However, the 21-year-old player told police he was following the vehicle that crashed days after he told them he was about a mile away from the scene. Later, he told the police that he was present alongside the other car, reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday which also stated that he left the scene after the crash and returned 90 minutes later.
Carter responds to arrest warrant
On Wednesday morning, Carter was set to speak to reporters in Indianapolis. However, the scheduled talk was canceled following the news of the arrest warrants. The player took to Twitter to issue a statement in response to the warrants and wrote, "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." He added, "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."
Shaun Barnett, spokesperson for the Athens-Clarke police department told ABC News they were informed by Carter's representatives that they were "making arrangements" for Carter "to turn himself in."
In a statement by Kirby Smart, the Georgia head coach shared that the charges against Carter were "deeply concerning, especially as we are still struggling to cope with the devastating loss of two beloved members of our community," and added, "We will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities while supporting these families and assessing what we can learn from this horrible tragedy."