Jalen Carter, the star defensive tackle for the Georgia Bulldogs and a potential No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, is the subject of an arrest warrant in relation to a car crash that resulted in the death of a former teammate and UGA staffer.
Carter, 21, who is in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine, was scheduled to speak to the media at 10.30 a.m. EST but never took to the podium. He has been participating in the interview portions of the event but declined to be a part of the workout portion of the combine.
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA FOOTBALL PLAYER AND STAFF MEMBER KILLED IN CAR CRASH
Athens-Clarke County Police Department secured warrants for Carter’s arrest on charges of reckless driving and racing related to an incident on Jan. 15, 2023. Both charges are misdemeanors, an Athens-Clarke County spokesman told the Athletic’s Georgia football writer Seth Emerson.
Jalen Carter is subject of arrest warrant in Athens after being implicated by police for racing in the crash that took the life of former teammate, and UGA staffer. pic.twitter.com/2TC0DS40sO
— Seth Emerson (@SethWEmerson) March 1, 2023
The ACCPD said in a statement that its investigation determined Carter, driver of a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk, and Chandler LeCroy, driver of a 2021 Ford Expedition, were “operating their vehicles in a manner consistent with racing shortly after leaving the downtown Athens area at about 2:30 AM.”
The toxicology report found LeCroy’s blood alcohol concentration was .197% at the time of the crash. The legal limit in Georgia is .08%. Police had said evidence indicated LeCroy was driving the Expedition at about 104 mph.
“Investigators determined that alcohol impairment, racing, reckless driving, and speed were significant contributing factors to the crash,” the statement said.
LeCroy, who was a Georgia recruiting staffer, and offensive lineman Devin Willock were killed in the crash, while offensive tackle Warren McClendon and recruiting staffer Tori Bowles were injured, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.
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Carter was a standout during his three seasons at the University of Georgia, with 16 solo tackles, 16 assisted tackles, and 2 forced fumbles during the 2022 season. He was a unanimous All-American and named to the first-team All-Southeastern Conference team for 2022. The crash occurred hours after the university’s parade celebrating the football team’s second consecutive national championship.
He is seen as one of the top prospects in next month’s NFL draft by several analysts. It is unknown how the legal troubles will affect his professional football aspirations.
