Top NFL draft prospect Jalen Carter turns himself in on charges related to deadly crash

Former University of Georgia football star Jalen Carter turned himself in Wednesday night to face charges in connection with a crash that claimed the lives of one of his teammates and a football staff member earlier this year, WSB-TV reported.

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Jail records reviewed by WSB showed Carter, 21, turned himself in and was booked into the Athens-Clarke County Jail around 11:30 p.m. He was released about 15 minutes later, according to WSB.

Police announced Wednesday that Carter would face charges of reckless driving and racing for his alleged part in a Jan. 15 crash that killed recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy, 24, and Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock, 20. Police said that in the early morning hours, LeCroy and Carter drove “in a manner consisted with racing” shortly after leaving downtown Athens. LeCroy reached speeds of up to 104 mph and had a blood alcohol concentration of .197 — more than twice the legal limit — authorities said.

In a statement released Wednesday on social media, Carter said he learned of the charges filed against him in a call from police and that he planned to turn himself in. He added that he would “make certain that the complete and accurate truth is presented,” disputing reports about the Jan. 15 crash.

“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,” he said.

Carter is expected to be one of the top picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, according to WSB. The news station reported that he had been scheduled to speak Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, though he did not.

Willock would have turned 21 on Tuesday, according to WSB. His former teammate, Nolan Smith, got emotional as he told WSB that his friend “never did anything wrong.”

“I’m just sorry to his mama,” he said. “You know, no one should deserve to die like that.”

On Wednesday, Georgia coach Kirby Smart called the charges filed against Carter “deeply concerning, especially as we are still struggling to cope with the devastating loss of two beloved members of our community.”

“We will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities while supporting these families and assessing what we can learn from this horrible tragedy,” he said.

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