Georgia Department of Sports officials say the vehicle involved in an accident that killed a soccer player and an employee on Jan. 15 should only be used for recruiting activities and not for personal use.
The University of Georgia Athletic Association released that information in a statement to The Associated Press on Saturday, in which it said personal use of the SUV was “strictly prohibited.”
Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy, a 24-year-old who worked in recruiting and drove the SUV, were killed in the early-morning accident, which happened hours after a parade and celebration of the Bulldogs’ second straight national championship. Another player and another employee were in the vehicle and were injured.
Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks said Tuesday that no one in the car was related to the athletic department.
Surveillance video obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows offensive lineman Warren McClendon and Georgia’s Devin Willock, along with other players, exiting the Toppers International showbar in downtown Athens around 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 15. Athens-Clarke County Police Department
“The car being driven in the accident was one of several vehicles leased by our athletic department solely for use in recruitment activities,” the athletic federation said in Saturday’s statement, first published Friday night by the Athens Banner-Herald and the Atlanta Journal- Constitution was reported.
“Policies and expectations, well understood by athletics staff, dictated that such rental vehicles had to be turned in immediately upon completion of recruitment duties. Private use was strictly forbidden. It was therefore not permitted for our employees to continue using the leasing car after they had finished their recruitment work in the early evening.”
Devin Willock was an offensive lineman in the Georgia football team. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A police report released on Tuesday listed speeding on a road with a speed limit of 40 mph as a major cause of the crash.
Offensive lineman Warren McClendon, who had just announced he would be drafted into the NFL, suffered minor injuries. Georgia football staffer Victoria Bowles was hospitalized with multiple serious injuries.
Chandler LeCroy worked in Georgia’s recruiting department. Instagram/chandler_lecroy
“We continue to work fully with investigators,” the sports association said in a statement. “Most importantly, our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and friends of those we lost and injured in this tragic accident.”