Georgia player and employee die in crash following celebratory parade

Devin Willock, a redshirt sophomore on the University of Georgia football team, and Chandler LeCroy, a football recruiting analyst, were killed in a car accident early Sunday morning, just hours after the team celebrated with a parade in Athens, Georgia for winning a National Championship.

“The entire Georgia family has been devastated by the tragic loss of football student-athlete Devin Willock and football staff member Chandler LeCroy,” the university’s athletic association said in a statement, adding: “Devin and Chandler were two special people who meant so much to the University of Georgia, our football program and our athletic department. We ask everyone to keep their families in your prayers during this very difficult time.”

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department said in a statement it was responding to a single-vehicle accident at 2:45 a.m. Sunday in which a 2021 Ford Expedition struck two power poles and several trees. According to police, LeCroy, 24, was the driver and was transported to a hospital, where she died of her injuries; Willock, 20, died at the scene.

Two other passengers, a 21-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, were injured in the crash and are in stable condition, police and the athletics association said.

The crash came hours after the University of Georgia national championship parade on Saturday. The team celebrated the defeat of Texas Christian University last Monday night, which gave the program its second straight national championship. At the parade, members of the team drove convertibles and pickups as he waved to cheering fans and signed autographs.

Willock, a 6-foot-7, 335-pound offensive lineman from New Milford, NJ, had emerged as a key contributor for the Bulldogs in the 2022 season, starting two games at right and playing in all 15 games. to play.

LeCroy has worked in various roles in Georgia’s athletics department since 2019 and began serving as the team’s part-time recruiting analyst in May 2021, according to her LinkedIn profile.

“Devin was an outstanding young man in every way and was always smiling,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said in a statement. “He was a great teammate and a joy to coach. Chandler was a valuable member of our football staff and brought an incredible attitude to every day.”