Georgia star Jalen Carter faces a warrant for his arrest after being involved in an accident that killed his teammate

Georgia star and top NFL Draft prospect Jalen Carter was involved in the Jan. 15 car crash that claimed the lives of sophomore teammate Devin Willock and recruiting coordinator Chandler LeCroy, according to the police, who say the group was racing their vehicles through the streets of Athens at the time.

As a result, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for 21-year-old Carter, who now faces misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing. The case is being turned over to the Georgia Attorney General.

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 around 2:30 a.m. am’ read the statement from the Athens-Clarke County police.

Carter, who is predicted to be among the first players taken in next month’s NFL Draft, previously told police he was within a mile of the crash, then admitted following the other car as it crashed and finally He acknowledged that he was traveling with LeCroy. vehicle at the time of the collision.

He left the scene of the accident before police or emergency medical workers arrived before returning an hour and a half later and denying he was running, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Georgia football player Devin Willock and staff member Chandler LeCroy died in the January crash

Carter will refer to the arrest warrant when he returns from the NFL’s pre-draft scouting combine, where he was expected to train for teams this week before his surprise retirement on Monday.

“It is my understanding that Mr. Carter is making arrangements to turn himself in,” Lt. Shaun Barnett of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department told the AP.

Carter’s presence at the January 15 crash was not reported until the AJC published its article on Wednesday. Previously, officials had been working under the belief that it was a car accident caused by LeCroy’s speed.

But officers eventually obtained surveillance video from cameras owned by the city and a business owner, though authorities declined to release the video citing the ongoing investigation.

Now, police say both cars, Carter’s and LeCroy’s, were racing against each other in the hours after the Bulldogs parade, celebrating the team’s second straight national championship.

“Evidence showed that both vehicles changed lanes, drove in the center turn lane, drove in opposite lanes, passed other motorists, and drove at high speeds, in an apparent attempt to outrun others,” the statement continued. .

‘Evidence indicated that shortly before the accident, the Expedition was traveling at about 104 miles per hour. The toxicology report indicated that Leroy’s blood alcohol concentration was .197 at the time of the accident. Investigators determined that alcohol intoxication, racing, reckless driving, and speeding were factors in the accident.

In addition to LeCroy, 24, the Bulldogs’ scouting coordinator, and Willock, 20, a promising offensive lineman, another recruiting staffer, Tory Bowles, 26, and a 21-year-old offensive lineman. Warren McClendon was also injured.

Police obtained surveillance video from cameras owned by the city and a business owner, though authorities declined to release the video citing the ongoing investigation.

In addition to LeCroy, 24, the Bulldogs’ scouting coordinator, and Willock, 20, a promising offensive lineman, another recruiting staffer, Tory Bowles, 26, and a 21-year-old offensive lineman. Warren McClendon was also injured in the January 15 crash.

Carter was supposed to be working at this year’s pre-draft scouting combine in Indianapolis, but his agent Drew Rosenhaus said his client will use the first week of March to conduct separate interviews with teams and undergo a physical. according to ESPN. Adam Schefter.

In January, Carter announced his decision to turn professional and enter the 2023 draft after leading Georgia to a second straight College Football Playoff National Championship.

Rosenhaus did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment on Wednesday morning.

Carter is not the only Georgia player charged with reckless driving.

Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson, a sophomore, was arrested last week on charges of racing on city streets and reckless driving, according to Athens-Clarke County Jail booking records.

The alleged incident took place on January 10, one day after Georgia defeated TCU in the College Football Playoff national championship game in Los Angeles.

A finalist for the Butkus Award, given annually to the top linebacker in college football, Dumas-Johnson was second on the Bulldogs with 70 total tackles as Georgia won its second straight national title last season.

He was also a first-team All-American in 2022.

Additionally, Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett IV was arrested in Athens on January 29 for public intoxication.

Georgia linebacker and NFL prospect Jamon Dumas-Johnson was arrested on charges of racing on city streets and reckless driving, according to Athens-Clarke County Jail booking records.