In a statement released late Tuesday afternoon, University of Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks said the individuals involved in the Jan. 15 fatal car crash that followed the football program's national championship celebration were not on athletic department duty.
Football player Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed when the SUV LeCroy was driving at a high rate of speed left the road and crashed into several obstacles, including utility poles, trees and an apartment building. Another player and another recruiting staffer in the vehicle were injured but survived.
In a statement released late Tuesday afternoon, University of Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks said the individuals involved in the Jan. 15 fatal car crash that followed the football program's national championship celebration were not on athletic department duty.
Football player Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed when the SUV LeCroy was driving at a high rate of speed left the road and crashed into several obstacles, including utility poles, trees and an apartment building. Another player and another recruiting staffer in the vehicle were injured but survived.
“We want to emphasize that these individuals were not engaged in Athletic Department duties around the time of this incident,” Brooks said, as reported by the Athens Banner-Herald.
The crash occurred early on a Sunday morning, hours after the team celebrated its second consecutive national title with a parade and stadium rally Saturday afternoon. While speed was a contributing factor, a toxicology report on the vehicle's occupants has not been released.
Georgia athletics is “is conducting a thorough review, in coordination with appropriate legal counsel, to fully understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event,” Brooks said.
The statement makes no direct mention of surveillance video — obtained and reported on by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution earlier this week — that appears to show the four individuals involved in the crash emerging from an Athens strip club minutes before the accident.
Related: Strip Club Visit Raises Questions About Fatal UGA Crash
"Coach [Kirby[ Smart and I are also actively reviewing relevant football policies, and at the conclusion of that review, we will take steps to implement any improvements in our policies and procedures that may be needed," Brooks said.
Here is the athletic director's complete statement:
“Out of respect for the families involved, we have refrained from making any public statements up to this point regarding the circumstances of the tragic accident that claimed two lives and injured two members of our campus community. However, we want the public to know that the Athletic Department is conducting a thorough review, in coordination with appropriate legal counsel, to fully understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. We want to emphasize that these individuals were not engaged in Athletic Department duties around the time of this incident.
"Our review is preliminary at this time, and the Athletic Department is fully cooperating with law enforcement officials to determine all the facts surrounding this tragedy. Coach (Kirby) Smart and I are also actively reviewing relevant football policies, and at the conclusion of that review, we will take steps to implement any improvements in our policies and procedures that may be needed. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families and friends of all those impacted by this tragic event.”
