Georgia football star Jalen Carter charged in crash that killed two people: NPR

Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter speaks during media day before the NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 7 in Los Angeles. He faces charges of reckless driving and speeding in connection with the crash that killed offensive lineman Devin Willock and a recruiting staff member.

Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

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Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter speaks during media day before the NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 7 in Los Angeles. He faces charges of reckless driving and speeding in connection with the crash that killed offensive lineman Devin Willock and a recruiting staff member.

Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

ATLANTA — Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, projected to be one of the top players in next month’s NFL draft, has been charged with reckless driving and speeding in a crash that killed offensive lineman Devin Willock and a recruiting staff member.

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department issued an arrest warrant, obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday, that says Carter raced a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk against a 2021 Ford Expedition driven by recruiter Chandler LeCroy, 24. January 15 to the wreck.

Carter was scheduled to arrive in Indianapolis on Wednesday for the NFL scouting convention and is expected to process the warrant when he returns to Athens, according to Lt. Shaun Barnett of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

“My understanding is that Mr. Carter is making arrangements to turn himself in,” Barnett said in an email to the AP.

The crash happened just hours after the Bulldogs celebrated their second straight national championship with a parade and ceremony, killing LeCroy and Willock.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart expressed concern about the charges in a statement Wednesday.

“The charges announced today are deeply troubling, especially as we continue to struggle to cope with the devastating loss of two beloved members of our community,” Smart said.

“We continue to cooperate fully with the authorities as we support these families and assess what we can learn from this terrible tragedy.”

According to the arrest warrant, an investigation by Athens police found that LeCroy and Carter were operating their vehicles in a “racing manner” after leaving downtown Athens around 2:30 a.m.

The chapter says evidence shows the vehicles changed lanes, drove into the center turning lane, drove into opposing lanes, overtook other motorists and drove at high speeds in “an apparent attempt to pass each other.”

Police found that LeCroy’s Expedition was going about 104 mph (167 km/h) shortly before the crash. The chapter says LeCroy’s blood alcohol content was 0.197 at the time of the crash. Georgia’s legal limit is 0.08.

Willock, 20, was pronounced dead at the scene. LeCroy was transported to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Offensive lineman Warren McClendon, who had just announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, suffered a minor injury. Georgia football player Victoria Bowles was hospitalized with more serious injuries.

Georgia athletic department officials said Jan. 28 that the vehicle LeCroy was driving was expected to be used only for recruiting, not personal use.