ATHENS, Ga. — Athens-Clarke County police have obtained an arrest warrant for former University of Georgia star Jalen Carter in connection with a fatal accident that killed a teammate and a football staffer.
Jail records show Carter was turned in at Athens-Clarke County Jail and released shortly thereafter.
Records show Carter was booked in at 11:33 p.m. Wednesday and released at 11:49 p.m. that same evening.
The warrants charge Carter with reckless driving and racing, both offenses.
The accident happened on January 15 on Barnett Shoals Road in Athens, just hours after UGA celebrated their second consecutive championship with a parade in Athens.
Recruitment analyst Chandler LeCroy, 24, and UGA offensive lineman Devin Willock, 20, were both killed in the crash. Two other members of the football program, Warren McClendon, 21, and Victoria Bowles, 26, a three-year offensive tackle, were injured.
Police initially characterized the accident as one involving only one car.
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On Wednesday, police said they have determined that racing, reckless driving, speed and alcohol impairment contributed to the accident.
Police say LeCroy, who was driving in a 2021 Ford Expedition, and Carter, who was driving in a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, were racing after leaving downtown Athens around 2:30 a.m. this Sunday.
Police found LeCroy’s SUV was capable of speeds of up to 104 miles per hour. How fast Carter was driving before the crash is unclear.
“The evidence showed both vehicles were changing lanes, taking the center turn lane, driving in opposite lanes, passing other motorists and driving at high speeds in an apparent attempt to overtake one another,” police said.
Police also released the toxicology report for LeCroy, which found her blood alcohol concentration at the time of the crash was 0.197. It’s more than double the legal limit. It’s unclear if Carter had blood alcohol tests done.
Carter faces reckless driving and racing charges. It’s unclear if Carter faces additional charges.
Channel 2 Action News obtained surveillance video of downtown Athens on the night of the accident, which appears to show Carter pulling away from a traffic light.
The car in the video is the same type of SUV, a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, which he signed a deal with a dealership in Ohio to promote. The SUV has 707 horsepower and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds.
Carter released a statement on his social media accounts on Wednesday afternoon.
“This morning I received a phone call from the Athens Georgia Police Department informing me that I have two warrants out for my arrest for reckless driving and racing. Numerous media reports have also circulated this morning with inaccurate information about the tragic events of January 15, 2023. It is my intention to return to Athens to answer the misdemeanor charges against me and to ensure that the full and accurate truth is presented. For me there is no question that when all the facts are known I will be cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.”
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Carter is predicted by many to be one of, if not the, top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Channel 2 sporting director Zach Klein is in Indianapolis where Carter is participating in the NFL Combine. Carter was supposed to speak on Wednesday but didn’t.
Klein spoke exclusively on Channel 2 Action News at 5pm with Carter’s teammate Nolan Smith about the loss of his teammate and dear friend Devin Willock. It’s the first time Smith has spoken publicly about his loss.
“He never did anything wrong … His brother died like that,” Smith said through tears. “And I’m only sorry for his mom. Nobody should have to live like this. You know, nobody should deserve to die like that.”
Willock would have celebrated his 21st birthday on Tuesday.
Athens-Clarke Police confirmed they have been in contact with Carter’s agents and representatives.
“We are in contact with [Carter’s] representative, and they made arrangements for him to turn himself in.”
The announcer said he didn’t know when Carter should turn himself in.
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