Jalen Carter issues statement on arrest warrant, refutes wrongdoing

INDIANAPOLIS — Former Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Athens Clarke County Police on Wednesday, the same day he was set to appear with media at the NFL Scouting Combine. Carter did not make the set interview slot after being charged with a pair of misdemeanors but did issue a statement of his own refuting any criminal wrongdoing.

“This morning I received a telephone call from the Athens Georgia Police Department informing me that two misdemeanor warrants have been issued against me for reckless driving and racing. Numerous media reports also have circulated this morning containing inaccurate information concerning the tragic events of January 15, 2023,” Carter wrote. “It is my intention to return to Athens to answer the misdemeanor charges against me and to make certain that the complete and accurate truth is presented. There is no question in my mind that when all of the facts are known that I will be fully exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing.”

Carter was charged with reckless driving and racing in connection to the fatal crash of January 15th that took the lives of Georgia Football recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy and offensive lineman Devin Willock.

The warrant also revealed more details of the accident. LeCroy was, in fact, intoxicated while operating the vehicle. Her blood alcohol level, as determined by a blood test, was .197. That’s almost two and a half times the legal limit. The Ford Expedition that LeCroy was operating was traveling 104 miles per hour just before the crash and the case is being submitted to the Athens-Clarke County solicitor general.

“As a result of the ongoing investigation into the January 15, 2023, fatal car crash that occurred in the 900 block of Barnett Shoals Road, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department has secured arrest warrants for Jalen Carter, 21, for Reckless Driving and Racing.

“The investigation found that Chandler LeCroy, driver of the 2021 Ford Expedition, and Jalen Carter, driver of a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk, were operating their vehicles in a manner consistent with racing shortly after leaving the downtown Athens area at about 2:30 AM. The evidence demonstrated that both vehicles switched between lanes, drove in the center turn lane, drove in opposite lanes of travel, overtook other motorists, and drove at high rates of speed, in an apparent attempt to outdistance each other. Evidence indicated that shortly before the crash the Expedition was traveling at about 104 miles per hour. The toxicology report indicated that LeCroy’s blood alcohol concentration was .197 art the time of the crash. Investigators determined that alcohol impairment, racing, reckless driving and speed were significant contributing factors in the crash.

“The case will be given to the Solicitor General’s Office.”

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart also shared a statement after news of the arrest warrant became public.

“The charges announced today are deeply concerning, especially as we are still struggling to cope with the devastating loss of two beloved members of our community,” Smart said in a statement from UGA Sports Information.

“We will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities while supporting these families and assessing what we can learn from this horrible tragedy.”

Carter is widely considered to be one of the top prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft with many mocking his as the first overall pick and few having him fall further than No. 5. Carter’s plan was always to opt out of the on-field workouts at the Combine in Indianapolis, instead working out for teams at Georgia’s Pro Day on March 15th. He had however planned to stay and speak with personnel from around the league.