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Jalen Carter, a 21-year-old defensive tackle for the University of Georgia, pleaded ineligible Thursday to two counts of reckless driving and racing stemming from a January car crash that killed two people, his attorney Kim said Stephens in a statement.
Carter, who is expected to be a top-five pick in the NFL draft in April, was sentenced to 12 months probation and must pay a $1,000 fine, perform 80 hours of community service and complete a state-approved defensive driving course. He will not serve any jail time and does not face additional charges in connection with the crash.
The crash killed Devin Willock, Carter’s teammate at the University of Georgia, and Chandler LeCroy, a recruiting analyst, the morning after a Jan. 14 parade honoring the team for winning the national championship.
Carter’s connection to the crash was not made public until March 1, when he attended the NFL’s scouting combine in Indianapolis. He returned to Athens-Clarke County to turn himself in to police on a warrant accusing him of racing his Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk with a Ford Expedition driven by LeCroy. According to the police report, both cars were speeding and veered into oncoming traffic before the crash in Athens, Ga.
The Expedition was traveling about 100 miles per hour when it veered off the road and struck a utility pole, killing LeCroy, 24, and Willock, 20, a redshirt sophomore on the team. Two other passengers were injured.
Toxicology reports showed LeCroy was under the influence at the time of the crash.
Stephens called the deal “fair and just and based on the evidence in this case,” adding, “Mr. Carter continues to mourn the loss of his friends and continues to pray for their families, and for continued healing of wounded friends.”
Willock’s family before said they had no plans to take legal action. LeCroy’s mother declined to comment.
The Atlanta Journal Constitution first reported Carter’s involvement and law enforcement’s accusation that he made conflicting statements about his whereabouts at the time of the crash.
Carter’s request came a day after he worked out in front of NFL scouts, coaches and general managers at Georgia’s pro day. According to a source who attended the training and was not authorized to speak publicly, Carter weighed 323 pounds, nine pounds more than he measured at the scouting combine, and he failed some exercises due to exhaustion.
Kirsten Noyes contributed to research.
