The two misdemeanor charges in connection with a fatal car accident will not lead to jail time for top prospect Jalen Carter. The former Georgia defensive tackle reached a plea agreement with Athens-Clarke County solicitors Thursday, according to Seth Emerson of The Athletic (on Twitter).
Carter was hit with misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing. These charges came in connection with the accident that killed Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy. Carter will not serve jail time, per Emerson, and will instead pay a $1K fine. The standout defensive tackle must complete a driving course and perform 80 hours of community service.
Carter was driving a separate vehicle Jan. 15, and a police investigation found the two vehicles were “operating in a manner consistent with racing.” Police initially determined the crash a single-car accident caused by LeCroy speeding. Evidence suggests Carter’s vehicle, a 2021 Ford Tomahawk, and LeCroy’s, a 2021 Ford Expedition, were switching lanes — including on the opposite side of the road — and speeding.
Just before LeCroy’s fatal crash, her vehicle was traveling approximately 104 mph. A toxicology report measured LeCroy’s blood-alcohol level at .197, well above the legal limit, and the investigation has deemed alcohol, racing and reckless driving were “significant contributors” to this accident. Police did not find Carter had been drinking.
Thursday’s development prevents the state of Georgia from bringing any additional charges against Carter in connection with the crash, Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com reports. Carter left the scene of the accident, but his attorney indicated (via Schlabach) he did not do so without being given permission first. Upon being charged, Carter left the Combine earlier this month but later returned after being released from jail on bond.
This obviously represents good news for Carter, who entered the Combine as a candidate to be a top-three pick. Teams will undoubtedly continue their own investigations into the top interior D-line prospect’s actions that night in January, along with an overall character background check, and Georgia’s recent pro day created new hurdles. Carter came in nine pounds heavier than his Combine weight, weighing 323 pounds, and failed to finish his position drills. Carter did not run the 40-yard dash or participate in parts beyond drills at his workout, Schlabach adds, noting the 6-foot-3 pass rusher was “cramping up and breathing heavily” during the drill portion.
Head coaches Mike Tomlin, Matt Eberflus and Arthur Smith were in attendance Wednesday, after Carter did not work out at the Combine. Although Carter should still be expected to be drafted early, the recent charges and this workout have dealt blows to his stock.
Man, I was pulling for this kid. So much talent. Now besides the legal issues he showed up for the Georgia Pro day about 10 lbs heavier than the combine and apparently cramped up and had to cut it short. He’s gonna have to have some killer individual workouts to keep from falling thru round 1..
The Eagles are l
hoping that Jalen Carter drops to #10 where they own the Saints puck. They want him so much they’d be willing to move 2024 draft capital (Saints #2 in 2024) to move up a few spots to ensure they get Carter.
Eagles looking to be Georgia North with Davis, Dean and hopefully Carter.
Bears will switch you 9 for 10 and that 2nd rd pick. Just call Poles. Done deal.
I’m hoping that the Cardinals trade down fron # 3,to a team who needs QB.(LV?) If it goes that way,, I, IND- Stroud, 2 Hous- Young, 3.LV – Levis,4 IND Richardson,5 Sea -W.Andersin 6. Det- P Johnson 7. Arz Skoronski 8 ATL (this is where PHI can trade uo w/ ATL and take Carter,, vc he’s not getting past CHI….
“Falling thru round 1” I hope you don’t mean out of Round 1. These are all minor issues. I doubt he drops out of top 10. Certainly not 15.
And when I say “minor issues” I recognize people lost their lives but he wasn’t drinking. It isn’t his fault the other folks crashed. Other college folks should have not engaged in the behavior. Kids do stupid things and sometimes they pay dearly.
idk NFL teams have reacted over much worse, like Tunil for the drug video,
The Tunsil thing happened so soon before the draft that teams couldn’t do any homework on it.
And Warren Sapp, who was a top 3 “lock” before a failed weed test. Randy Moss who went 22nd? After a week test.
The Eagles took Mamula traded up to take Mamula over Sapp and took Tra Thomas (an excellent player) 2 spots ahead of Moss though, lol.
I didn’t mean falling out of round. Through round 1. And honestly, there’s no way of knowing what teams are thinking his value is at this point. I really think it’s gonna be individual workouts that decide this.
It’s lousy that he was involved at all in a tragic incident. It’s not great that he had a disappointing pro day. He certainly seems like he has some growing up to do. With all that said, I’d still take him extremely high in this draft. The guy was the best player on one of the best–if not the best–college defenses of all time. I think he’s still much more likely to be a star than not, and a scarce type of star. If he falls because of a couple of misdemeanors and a few extra pounds, he’ll be a Warren Sapp level steal.
Yeah, I don’t think there’s much hope for him to fall to #13. The Jets need to reload at DT after losing two as FAs and with Quinnen Williams future beyond this season being unknown at this point.
I would be shocked if Quinnen isn’t extended by the end of the offseason. I think they just need the Rodgers dust to settle before they can make other big financial plans. But I also don’t think he’ll fall to 13. Of course, I also suspect the Jets won’t have their first round pick anyway.
Cool. That’s one more guy that will be taken before the Bears pick at 9. Opens up some more possibilities. I don’t think they’d take him even if he was there at 9. But I’ve been wrong before.
Has BUST stamped all over him.
Head and heart just as important in the NFL as talent and this shows he doesn’t have it.
If that were a bet, I’d eagerly take the other side of it.
a tragic accident that could have been avoided by actions from all parties. hopefully this is a wakeup call for the young man.
No way he passes the Pats he seems like a guy BB loves (on the field) off the field who knows
I’d be shocked if he dropped out of the top 10. It may hardly affect his draft position at all.
Solicitors? Was the case handled in the UK?
We often refer to government lawyers as solicitors here in the States.
Solicitor is an elected official in GA that handles any misdemeanor. District attorney handles felonies only.
So. Georgia team supporter?
The big question here is what the hell is a Ford Tomahawk?
I am going to have to look that up. Go not remember it.
I would not be surprised if Seattle used Denver’s pick at 5 to grab him. They need DL help badly and many have them taking 2 in rnd 1.
Tomahawk is a baby Raptor built on the Ranger platform. Kind of surprised he fit in it.
His stock just went up again. If he can drop the weight he gained, he will be back where he was before.
He has a possible future as a pro football player, NASCAR driver or actor in a “Fast & Furious” movie. Not bad.
Youthful mistakes, most of us have done stupid and irresponsible things that haven’t had such a life changing or ending consequence, we might’ve been lucky or blessed.
If lessons learned have an impact on future behavior then a positive outcome should be preferred. If not, then the entire sequence would be disappointing