Jalen Carter has pleaded no contest this week to misdemeanor charges related to a crash in January that killed his Georgia Bulldogs teammate and a football team staffer.
The former Georgia defensive lineman was in court Thursday on charges of reckless driving and racing in connection with the crash, as reported by NBC News.
Carter was sentenced to a year of probation, a $1,000 fine and 80 hours of community service. He is also expected to participate in a state-approved defensive driving course.
Carter was a standout for the national champion Georgia Bulldogs and is a projected top pick in the NFL draft.
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Attorney Kim Stephens noted that her client Carter's plea means "the State is forever barred from bringing any additional charges against Jalen Carter for conduct alleged to have occurred on Jan. 15, 2023."
“We are happy that we were able to work with the solicitor general’s office to reach a resolution that was fair and just based on the evidence in this case," Stephens said, as reported by NBC. “Mr. Carter continues to grieve for the loss of his friends and continues to pray for their families, as well as for the continued healing for injured friends," Stephens said.
On Jan. 15, former University of Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy, 24, were killed in a crash. Authorities has previously said Carter was behind the wheel of a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk, which he was racing with LeCroy, who was driving a 2021 Ford Expedition.
“The evidence demonstrated that both vehicles switched between lanes, drove in the center turn lane, drove in opposite lanes of travel, overtook other motorists, and drove at high rates of speed, in an apparent attempt to outdistance each other,” police said, according to the NBC report.
Shortly before the crash took place, the Expedition had reached 104 mph, police said, and LeCroy’s blood alcohol content was 0.197 “at the time of the crash.”
“Investigators determined that alcohol impairment, racing, reckless driving, and speed were significant contributing factors to the crash,” police said.
The wreck occurred just a few hours after the Bulldogs held a parade following a ceremony at Sanford Stadium honoring their championship.
Others in the Expedition with LeCroy when the crash unfolded, including offensive lineman Warren McClendon, were injured. McClendon, who was wearing a shoulder and lap restraint while seated in the right front passenger seat, suffered minor injuries, police said. Georgia football staffer Victoria Bowles had been sitting in the backseat with Willock, police said. Bowles, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was hospitalized with serious injuries, police said.
Willock, 20, was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt during the crash.
