Jalen Carter‘s involvement in a fatal car crash in January has been put to rest with respect to criminal proceedings via his plea agreement. The Eagles defensive tackle is now facing a new legal hurdle, however.
Carter has been named as a defendant in a $40MM civil suit filed by Devin Willock Sr., as detailed by Shehan Jeyarajah of CBS Sports. Willock’s son, along with staffer Chandler LeCroy, were killed in an accident resulting from a racing incident following Georgia’s national championship victory. The lawsuit also names the school’s athletic association and LeCroy’s estate as defendants.
Of the $40MM total, Carter is individually being sued for $10MM, per Callie Lawson-Freeman of Yahoo! Sports. The latter figure, the suit states, represents what Willock believes his son would have earned in the NFL. Carter recently signed his four-year rookie contract with the Eagles, which has a total value of $21.8MM and includes the potential for a fifth-year option being exercised.
The fatal accident – which included Carter fleeing the scene and later being booked on misdemeanor charges – was a key talking point during the pre-draft process. An underwhelming pro day performance added to character concerns for the All-American, leading a number of teams to take him off their draft boards. Philadelphia (a team which has added several ex-Bulldogs in recent drafts) traded up one spot to select him, though, after an evaluation process which did not include extensive vetting of the crash.
Carter was driving with a suspended license at the time of the accident, ESPN’s Tim McManus notes. That did not factor into the charges (reckless driving and racing) which he faced, however, and his plea agreement prevents any further proceedings taking place stemming from the crash. The Willock suit notes two other occasions which Carter received citations or tickets for. In addition to facing 12 months of probation, paying a $1,000 fine and serving 80 hours of community service, the latter is required to complete a driving course.
A statement from Georgia’s athletic association calls the allegations “baseless,” and makes clear its intention of fighting them in court. Whether or not Carter looks to match that approach will be a key storyline to follow as this process unfolds.
it really sucks that this guy lost his son but at the same time his son willingly got in that car by himself. Jalen Carter did not run into the other guy’s car causing the accident. this is a pathetic money grab by the family. this money will not bring him back the only thing it will do is change the living families vacation spot and home. he purposely waited for Jalen Carter to sign his contract to turn around and sue them. why didn’t he sit there and follow along suit a couple weeks after it happened why not in early March when John Carter was essentially absolved of any real punishment for an accident? oh it’s because he just signed his contract it ain’t like this accident happened just a week or two ago it happened over 4 months ago
Welcome to America where everyone sues everyone
A lady sued McDonalds over a hot McNugget burning her daughter’s leg. Instead of helping right away, she pulled her phone out to film her daughters screaming in pain.
Because it takes time, talk to lawyers, court filings. The actual suit being filed had nothing to do with the contract signing.
And I’m not disagreeing on the other parts you said just about the suit actually coming to light
I agree with most of your stuff here but the timing of the lawsuit is not suspicious and does not bolster your argument that this is a money grab. Four months is lightning speed when you are talking about our court system. The family needed time to grieve, let the criminal proceedings play out, select legal representation, and then actually file the suit. Four months is nothing.
It’s a sad situation but Carter’s past driving incidents have nothing to do with Willock and LeCroys decision to speed recklessly. Carter wasn’t driving the car. As far as we know, Carter didn’t threaten them to race “or else”. There are two people at fault, Willock and LeCroy. Carter is merely lucky he didn’t end up with the same fate.
Read the article again…Carter WAS driving a vehicle, with a suspended license, and he WAS racing. Willock was NOT driving the vehicle he was in.
Be that as it may…this will eventually get settled “out of court”…with a non-disclosure clause.
Ok but he also wasn’t in Carter’s vehicle so how is he liable? They should be suing the driver of the vehicle he was actually IN, their estate
I think you need to re-read again…. Carter was in a separate car. Carter driving with a suspended license has no bearing on what happened to Willock and LeCroy. They were in a different car. Carter driving fast and recklessly, again has no bearing on what happened to Willock and LeCroy – they didn’t have to speed and drive recklessly. Unless they were somehow coerced? Which doesn’t sounds like the case.
So… do you think there was 1 car and Carter was driving and somehow survived?
Call me when your son passes the bar exam in Virginia. And, yes, the legal system in the U.S. doesn’t always make any logical sense.
Carter was participating in an illegal activity where someone died. He’s not fully culpable, but he does have some culpability. If a cop is chasing a suspect and the cop hits and kills a pedestrian, the guy that the cop was chasing will be charged in that death. I’ve seen it before
The young lady WAS intoxicated WAS driving unauthorized WAS most importantly of all in control of the vehicle that crashed. Carter did not cause her to crash. Case closed you are dismissed.
He will pay. Guaranteed. He was drag racing with them. That is a crime. She obviously is more culpable, but without him,this most likely wouldn’t have happened. Nobody drag races against themselves
I dismissed you.
Had to know this was coming.
Carter was a key player in a fatal accident and just got paid.
I have no idea if the suit is valid but the dad had to take his shot.
This is on Chandler LeCroy and the University, which employed her. She killed that man’s son. She was the drunk driver. Carter wasn’t drunk or in the car.
The University of Georgia used that Blonde to lure Football players to the school and show them a good time, and gave her the title “Recruiting Specialist”, This is the outcome of the good times.
He has no case against Carter but in America anybody can sue everybody, See# DonaldTrump.butthead.com. Carter is responsible for being stupid multiple times( Which is why I’m glad the Bears passed), But he wasn’t in the car where the deceased were killed. They have no case against Carter at all IMO. If the University hired LeCroy to drive athletes around then they have a case there but Carter should be dropped from the suit entirely. He has to live with what happened, If he even gives a crap, Which I doubt. Just clear the streets of Philadelphia, Here I come. Unless Carter’s car hit the other car which I have heard absolutely nobody say.
Carter: “Someone is trying to sue me so I want to re-negotiate my contract now.”
It’s probably just logistics and the lawyer is shooting for it all when comes to carter. Most likely they sue the university and lecroys insurance company.
If you were part of a group doing something dangerous and illegal you can be on the hook.
If you’re in a group car racing event you are therefore encouraging and aiding the other racers. If someone crashes and dies all the racers involved at the event can be on the hook.
Oh completely can be liable civil court
This has got to be why Poles (Bears) passed on him. Precisely the kind of drama and distraction a rookie and a young team don’t need in a crucial year.
I hope that Tina Tintor’s family is paying attention to this.
Sounds cold but to estimate he would’ve made $10M in the NFL redefines “reach”. Sure you can shoot for “loss of future wages” but you can’t skip the whole “actually getting drafted” part.
Amazing that he was charged only with a couple misdemeanors. Sort of shows the duality of justice when it comes to athletes, politicians, and celebrities.
I blame this 100% on the school. They hire pretty girls to party and bang these guys. Sadly it ended in death this time.
Isn’t how funny nobody wants to call these “recruiting staffers” what they really are.
Imagine going to a prestigious university to be a professional thot
@ BTH / It’s been decades since I attended college but I can’t recall any of my male classmates needing any incentive to party or bang pretty girls.