Jalen Carter turns himself in for driving charges, posts bond
Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter turned himself in late Wednesday night on misdemeanor chargers of reckless driving and racing. A warrant for his arrest was issued earlier in the day.
Athens-Clarke County Police determined that Carter was racing recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy in the early morning hours of January 15, resulting in a crash that took the lives of LeCroy and offensive lineman Devin Willocks.
According to the Athens-Clarke County jail log, Carter was booked at 11:33 p.m. ET and released 16 minutes later. The bond, in total, was $4,000. It’s broken down as $1,500 for reckless driving and $2,500 for racing on the streets/highways.
The Florida native was set to speak to reporters on Wednesday of the NFL Combine but that was before the arrest warrant was issued. He spoke NFL personnel according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport but he did not meet with the media. It was known coming into the combine that he would not work out.
Details of the crash and arrest warrant…
The warrant also revealed more details of the accident. LeCroy was, in fact, intoxicated while operating the vehicle. Her blood alcohol level, as determined by a blood test, was .197. That’s almost two and a half times the legal limit.
The Ford Expedition operated by LeCroy was traveling 104 miles per hour just before the crash and the case is being submitted to the Athens-Clarke County solicitor general.
“As a result of the ongoing investigation into the January 15, 2023, fatal car crash that occurred in the 900 block of Barnett Shoals Road, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department has secured arrest warrants for Jalen Carter, 21, for Reckless Driving and Racing.
“The investigation found that Chandler LeCroy, driver of the 2021 Ford Expedition, and Jalen Carter, driver of a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk, were operating their vehicles in a manner consistent with racing shortly after leaving the downtown Athens area at about 2:30 AM. 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. Evidence indicated that shortly before the crash the Expedition was traveling at about 104 miles per hour. The toxicology report indicated that LeCroy’s blood alcohol concentration was .197 art the time of the crash. Investigators determined that alcohol impairment, racing, reckless driving and speed were significant contributing factors in the crash.
“The case will be given to the Solicitor General’s Office.”
Carter issues statement…
The All-American defender made it known on Wednesday that he would be turning himself. He did not give a timeline but he released a statement saying that he would be answering the charges. Carter also claimed that the full, truthful story wasn’t being portrayed.
“This morning I received a telephone call from the Athens Georgia Police Department informing me that two misdemeanor warrants have been issued against me for reckless driving and racing. Numerous media reports also have circulated this morning containing inaccurate information concerning the tragic events of January 15, 2023,” Carter wrote. “It is my intention to return to Athens to answer the misdemeanor charges against me and to make certain that the complete and accurate truth is presented. There is no question in my mind that when all of the facts are known that I will be fully exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing.”
