Georgia officials say use of car involved in fatal crash which killed Devin Willock, Chandler LeCroy was unauthorized

Georgia’s athletic department has released another statement regarding the fatal car crash involving offensive lineman Devin Willock and staffer Chandler LeCroy. The new statement came out Friday night and had an update on the ongoing investigation into the accident.

The athletic department confirmed the car involved in the Jan. 15 accident was to be used for recruiting work. Willock and LeCroy were killed and Warren McClendon was injured in the one-vehicle accident after Georgia’s national championship celebration.

“While our review of the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident on January 15 is ongoing, we can now provide clarity on a few points,” the statement read. “The car driven in the accident was one of several vehicles leased by our athletic department for use during recruiting activities only. Policies and expectations that were well understood by athletics staff dictated that such rental vehicles were to be turned in at the immediate conclusion of recruiting duties. Personal use was strictly prohibited. Therefore, the continued use of the leased car by our staff members after their recruiting duties ended earlier that evening was unauthorized.

“We are continuing to cooperate fully with investigators. Above all, our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and friends of those we lost and those who were injured in this tragic accident.”

The new statement came three days after Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks released a statement on the accident, confirming an investigation was ongoing and he refrained from making public comments out of respect for the families of those involved.

“Out of respect for the families involved, we have refrained from making any public statements up to this point regarding the circumstances of the tragic accident that claimed two lives and injured two members of our campus community,” Brooks said. “However, we want the public to know that the athletic department is conducting a thorough review, in coordination with appropriate legal counsel, to fully understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. We want to emphasize that these individuals were not engaged in athletic department duties around the time of this incident.”

LeCroy was the driver of the vehicle, a 2021 Ford Expedition, which was traveling southbound on Barrett Shoals Road before leaving the road and striking two power poles along with several trees. Police responded at 2:45 a.m. Willock died at the scene, while LeCroy was taken to a local hospital before passing away.

The car crash occurred 12 hours after Georgia celebrated its recent national championship with a victory parade and event at Sanford Stadium.

On3’s Chandler Vessels contributed to this report.