The Athens-Clarke County Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for top NFL draft prospect Jalen Carter in connection with an investigation into a fatal crash in January that left a Georgia football player and recruiting worker dead.
Police said in a news release Wednesday that they are seeking to arrest Carter for reckless driving and racing — both misdemeanor charges — as part of their investigation into the fatal crash that left Georgia recruiting employees Chandler LeCroy and Devin Willock, an offensive lineman who was riding in his vehicle, was killed.
Carter and LeCroy were “operating their vehicles in a manner consistent with racing” prior to the accident, police said, and LeCroy’s vehicle was traveling at 104 mph—a 40 mph speed limit. more than double.
Carter, a projected top-five pick in next month’s draft, was set to speak to reporters at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis on Wednesday morning but did not do so. His agent did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Athens police spokesman Shawn Barnett told USA TODAY Sports that the department was in contact with Carter’s representatives and expected him to turn himself in.
“The allegations announced today are deeply troubling, especially as we are still struggling to deal with the devastating loss of two beloved members of our community,” Georgia football coach Kirby Smart said in a statement.
“We will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities while supporting these families and assessing what we can learn from this terrible tragedy.”
The accident occurred on January 15 at approximately 2:45 a.m. ET on a road south of Athens, Georgia, where the University of Georgia is located.
Police said Wednesday that the vehicles driven by LeCroy and Carter were switching between lanes, driving in the opposite lane, and driving “at a high speed” in the lead-up to the crash. LeCroy’s vehicle, a 2021 Ford Expedition, struck two utility poles and two trees before coming to rest outside an apartment unit.
LeCroy had a blood alcohol concentration of .197, well above the legal limit in Georgia, which is .08.
“Investigators have determined that alcohol intoxication, racing, reckless driving, and speed were significant contributing factors to the accident,” police said in the news release.
Two other passengers in LeCroy’s vehicle suffered injuries: Georgia offensive lineman Warren McClendon, and recruiting staffer Victoria “Tori” Bowles.
The 21-year-old Carter is tipped to be a potential top-five pick in next month’s draft. According to an ESPN report, he was planning to attend interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine this week but was not working out for the teams.