Two Georgia football players are arrested for reckless driving in SEPARATE incidents – after a teammate had DUI charges dropped this week
Two University of Georgia football players have been arrested for reckless driving, adding another stain to the storied program’s reputation.
On Thursday morning, it was announced that offensive lineman Bo Hughley was involved in a single-vehicle crash that involved failure to stay in his lane and reckless driving.
In a separate incident, linebacker Smael Mondon was also charged with reckless driving and racing.
This comes a day after an update emerged on a DUI case involving running back Trevor Etienne.
Etienne’s case, in which he was charged with driving under the influence (less safe) and driving under the influence (under 21), was dismissed. Meanwhile, the running back pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless driving for an incident that occurred in March.
Two University of Georgia football players arrested for driving-related incidents
Bo Hughley and Smael Mondon have been charged in separate incidents of reckless driving
That incident occurred shortly after Etienne announced he would transfer from Florida to Georgia after two seasons.
Coach Kirby Smart said at the time: ‘I want to first reiterate what I said about this kid last week: He’s a great kid from a great family, he’s done a great job since he’s been here.
“As we all know, young people don’t always make great decisions. He’s embarrassed, he’s upset, it’s a learning experience and I hope he learns from it. He’ll be subject to internal discipline, but also to university discipline.”
Hughley is a freshman, while Mondon is a junior who recorded 42 solo tackles and three sacks last season.
Driving issues have plagued the Bulldogs program since winning a national title in January 2023.
Most notably, offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed in the crash on January 15, 2023 in Athens, Georgia, following a reckless driving incident believed to have been caused by street racing. LeCroy was driving the crashed SUV, while reportedly racing defensive tackle Jalen Carter in his car.
LeCroy was reportedly driving at more than 104.2 mph when the SUV crashed into trees and power poles. Her blood alcohol content was measured at more than twice the legal limit.
Carter, who now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, was given 12 months’ probation and a $1,000 fine after pleading no contest to a reckless driving charge. He had been pulled over by police a few months earlier and given a warning for speeding.
A photo of the wreckage from the crash that killed Chandler LeCroy and Devin Willock in 2023
Recruiter Chandler LeCroy (left) and offensive lineman Devin Willock died in the 2023 crash in Athens, where LeCroy was reportedly racing defensive tackle Jalen Carter
Carter was sentenced to 12 months probation after pleading no contest to felony charges
In September, former Georgia player and now program officer Jarvis Jones was arrested for speeding and reckless driving.
In total, 15 players have been arrested or ticketed for speeding and reckless driving since the fatal accident that killed Willock and LeCroy.
In a lawsuit stemming from the fatal accident in July 2023, program officials were accused of negligence, as employees regularly drove department vehicles while intoxicated.
Additionally, LeCroy received at least four speeding tickets in four counties between 2016 and 2022. At least one of those was reportedly known to program officials.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has always maintained that he and his colleagues are working to fix the problem. Last year, however, he dismissed the idea that different team policies could have prevented the fatalities.
“No single policy, or lack thereof, caused this accident,” Smart said Online Athens until 2023.