Victoria "Tory" Bowles, a former University of Georgia recruiting analyst, has settled her lawsuit with the UGA Athletic Association more than a year and a half after she was severely injured in a crash that also killed two other members of Georgia’s football program.
Chandler LeCroy, a fellow recruiting staffer, was killed when the UGA-leased SUV she was driving crashed at a high rate of speed Jan. 15, 2023. Devin Willock, a member of the football team, also was killed. Bowles was one of two passengers to survive.
As reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, attorneys for Bowles said in a court filing last week they were dismissing their lawsuit “as a result of a compromise and agreement entered between the parties.” The terms of the settlement are unclear.
According to Atlanta Fox affiliate WAGA, Bowles had been seeking damages of more than $171,000 for lost income and medical expenses.
In her lawsuit, Bowles' attorneys say she suffered "a spinal cord injury sufficient to cause leakage of cerebrospinal fluid," fractured her ribs, vertebrae, teeth and clavicle, lacerated her kidney and liver, and punctured her lung, WAGA reported. She also claims that injuries to her head have left her with neurological damage.
According to ESPN senior writer Mark Schlabach, Bowles' lawsuit against Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter and the estate of LeCroy will continue.
"The parties agreed to resolve Ms. Bowles' claim to avoid further litigation, without either party admitting fault or assigning fault," UGA spokesperson Steven Drummond said in a statement.
Bowles' attorney, Rob Buck, confirmed a settlement had been reached.
"Ms. Bowles will continue to seek justice in relation to her life-altering injuries against Jalen Carter, his LLC, and Ms. LeCroy's estate," Buck told ESPN.
Police accused Carter of racing the SUV being driven by LeCroy when it left the road and crashed into trees and utility poles hours after Georgia celebrated its back-to-back national championships at a ceremony at Sanford Stadium, Schlabach reported.
Bowles' lawsuit alleged that the athletic association was negligent in allowing LeCroy to drive the SUV during her duties, Schlabach reported. Bowles' lawyers contended that athletic officials were aware that "LeCroy had at least four speeding tickets, which included two 'super speeder' violations under Georgia law," according to the complaint.
Per Schlabach, the lawsuit said LeCroy's SUV was traveling at least 104.2 mph when it crashed and had been racing another SUV, driven by Carter, for 45 seconds or less. Police said LeCroy's blood alcohol concentration was .197, nearly 2½ times the legal limit in Georgia.
Carter pleaded no contest in March 2023 to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing. He was sentenced to 12 months of probation, a $1,000 fine and 80 hours of community service and will attend a state-approved defensive driving course.
Willock's father and estate also sued the athletic association, Carter and others in a separate lawsuit.
