Georgia star Jalen Carter booked, released: Top NFL Draft prospect left scene of fatal car crash

Georgia linebacker Jalen Carter, widely considered the top 5 in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, was booked wednesday evening on charges of reckless driving and racing after turning himself in to the Athens-Clark County Police Department at 11:33 pm ET while posting bail just now 16 minutes Later. Earlier Wednesday, Carter was issued an arrest warrant in connection with a fatal car accident on January 15 that killed a Georgia football player and a recruiting analyst.

Carter returned to the NFL Draft Combine in Indianapolis on Thursday and will take measurements and interviews. according to ESPN. Earlier this week, he was in Indianapolis, although he did not participate in practice on the field. He met with several teams on the Tuesday night before the warrant was issued and stayed in town for a medical on Wednesday. didn’t talk to the media as originally planned.

The police initially believed the accident was due to a one-vehicle speeding incident; however, statements and evidence have since shown that there were at least two other cars at the scene, driven by footballers from Georgia. Police have not released the security footage, citing the footage as evidence as part of an ongoing investigation.

Carter left the crash site for more than an hour before returning to the scene and testifying to police.

In interviews reviewed Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Carter misled prosecutors by first claiming he was a mile from the scene of the crash, then admitting he was near the crashed car, killing teammate Devin Willock, 20, and recruited analyst Chandler LeCroy, 24 of the year. The crashed car was driving more than twice the speed limit. In addition, toxicology reports showed that Lecroy was driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.197, more than double the legal limit.

“Evidence showed that both vehicles switched lanes, moved into the center turn lane, moved into oncoming lanes, overtook other motorists and drove at high speed in an apparent attempt to overtake each other,” the ACCPD said in a statement. in a statement. “Evidence showed that shortly before the crash, the expedition was moving at a speed of about 104 miles per hour.”

At the time of the incident, Carter was driving a 2021 Hellcat V-8-powered Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk, a vehicle he received as part of a NIL deal with a luxury car dealership in Ohio. The Ford Expedition driven by Lecroy was leased by the university for recruitment purposes. Lecroy was not allowed to lead the Expedition. The accident injured two more members of the Georgia football program – a player and a recruiter.

In a prepared statement posted on his personal TwitterCarter said he was notified of the warrant on Wednesday morning and called the media reports “inaccurate.”

“I intend to return to Athens to answer the misdemeanor allegations made against me and to ensure that the full and exact truth is presented,” Carter said. “I have no doubt that when all the facts are known, I will be fully acquitted of any criminal offenses.”

Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson was also questioned in connection with the crash on January 15 after showing up at the scene. It is reported that his partner Smael Mondon was in the car with him. Dumas-Johnson was not charged in connection with the incident, but he was independently charged five days earlier for another street racing violation.

“The allegations announced today are deeply concerning, especially as we are still struggling to cope with the terrible loss of two beloved members of our community,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Wednesday. “We will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities in supporting these families and assessing what we can learn from this terrible tragedy.”

The crash came six days after the Dawgs won their second consecutive college football playoff national championship.

Carter received unanimous All-American honors after an outstanding junior season in Georgia. He posted seven tackles for loss and three sacks from defensive position, catalyzing Georgia’s historic 15-0 campaign.