Star UGA player issued arrest warrant before NFL Combine interviews
Minutes before Jalen Carter, the projected No. 1 pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, was scheduled to speak with the media at the combine, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department issued him an arrest warrant, The Athletic‘s Seth Emerson reported.
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 reckless driving and arrest warrant stems from the fatal car accident that took the lives of Chandler LeCroy and Devin Willock. Willock was an offensive lineman for the University of Georgia, and LeCroy was a part of the Bulldogs’ recruiting staff. The accident occurred hours after UGA’s national championship parade in Athens, Georgia.
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department claim LeCroy, the driver of a 2021 Ford Expedition, and Carter, the driver of a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk, “were operating their vehicles in a manner consistent with racing” shortly after leaving downtown Athens around 2:30 a.m. The evidence also showed both cars switched lanes, drove in opposite lanes of traffic and drove at high speeds “in an apparent attempt to outdistance each other.”
The police department also claimed evidence showed LeCroy’s vehicle was going “at about 104 miles per hour.” The toxicology report showed her alcohol concentration level was at .197 at the time of the crash.
“Investigators determined that alcohol impairment, racing, reckless driving and speed were significant contributing factors to the crash,” the ACCPD’s statement read. “The case will be given to the Solicitor General’s Office.”
Both charges against Carter are misdemeanors, Emerson reported.
The reports of Carter’s warrant first surfaced around 9:30 a.m. ET on March 1, less than an hour from the 10:30 a.m. ET scheduled time Carter had to speak with the media at the 2023 NFL Combine.
Longtime ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper projected Carter to be the No. 1 pick of this year’s draft to the Chicago Bears earlier in the week.
