Father of Devin Willock seeks $2 million in damages from UGA in civil action lawsuit over fatal car crash

Dave Willock, the father of former Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock, is seeking $2 million from the university in a civil action lawsuit over the fatal Jan. 15 crash that killed his son, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Tuesday.

Dave Willock’s lawyers claim that a lack of oversight by football team officials of employees, including recruiting staff Chandler LeCroy led to the crash. LeCroy was also killed in the wreck.

Among the claims, Dave Willock’s attorneys say that Devin Willock and LeCroy were at an Athens strip club with prospective recruits on the night of the crash. They also state that LeCroy and other recruiting staff members “drank alcohol at various events, at times served by caterers working for the athletic association.”

LeCroy, the driver of the vehicle, reportedly had a blood-alcohol level of .197 — more than twice the legal limit — at the time of the crash. Additionally, the car that crashed was rented by the university and “unauthorized” for any use other than recruiting purposes.

The AJC also reported that LeCroy had received four tickets for speeding in the past six years. University of Georgia officials said they did not know about LeCroy’s most recent ticket, issued in October for going 77 mph in a 55 mph zone.

University spokesman Greg Trevor denies the allegations.

“The claims are false, and the university disputes them in the strongest terms,” Trevor said in a statement. “Personal use of vehicles rented for recruiting activities was strictly prohibited. Ms. LeCroy was not engaged in athletic department duties around the time of the accident, and her personal use of the car after the recruiting duties ended earlier that evening was therefore unauthorized.”

Details on the car crash that killed Devin Willock, Chandler LeCroy

Police responded to the crash at 2:45 a.m. on Jan. 15. The vehicle, a 2021 Ford Expedition, was traveling southbound at 104 mph on Barrett Shoals Road before leaving the road and striking two power poles along with several trees.

Willock was ejected from the car and died at the scene, while LeCroy was taken to a local hospital before passing away. Two other passengers — offensive tackle Warren McClendon and recruiting staffer Tory Bowles — suffered injuries from the crash but thankfully made it out alive.

Police claim that LeCroy was racing Bulldogs defensive lineman Jalen Carter, a projected first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Carter later pleaded no contest to charges of racing and reckless driving. He was sentenced to 12 months probation, a $1,000 fine and 80 hours of community service and must complete a defensive driving course.