The Latest on the Jalen Carter Situation
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Indianapolis, Indiana (PSF) - This week at the 2023 NFL scouting combine, consensus top three pick Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter has found himself in some legal trouble dating back to an incident that occurred in mid-January.
According to Seth Emerson, who is a senior writer for the Athletic, Jalen Carter is subject of arrest warrant in Athens Georgia after being implicated by police for racing in the crash that took the life of former teammate Devin Willock, and team staff member Chandler LeCroy.
Per the ACCPD’s investigation of the fatal vehicle crash, 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 2:30am on January 15th. 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 at the time of the crash. Investigators determined that alcohol impairment, racing, reckless driving, and speed were significant contributing factors to the crash. The case will be given to the Solicitor General’s Office. Both charges against Jalen Carter are misdemeanors, Athens-Clarke County spokesman confirmed.
Here is what Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart had to say on the matter:
“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. We will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities while supporting these families and assessing what we can learn from this horrible tragedy.”
Carter was scheduled to speak with reporters in Indianapolis along with doing his physical on Wednesday, and was not spotted with his group of representatives Wednesday morning. He has met with teams prior to the recent news coming out about him.
On Wednesday afternoon, Carter released a tweet that reads:
THIS MORNING I RECEIVED A TELEPHONE CALL FROM THE ATHENS GEORGIA POLICE DEPARTMENT INFORMING ME THAT TWO MISDEMENOR 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. IT IS MY INTENTION TO RETURN TO ATHENS TO ANSWER THE MISDEMENOR 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.”
On Wednesday night, Carter was booked at 11:33 p.m. ET and released at 11:49 p.m. after paying a $4,000 bond for the two charges.
On Thursday morning, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport tweeted that a source close to the situation confirmed that Carter is back at the combine to finish his interviews, measurements, and other activities. While Carter will not be participating in the defensive linemen drills which was the plan all along before the news came out, he will still be on the field present and supporting his position group as they go through drills. Additionally, Rapoport also tweeted that the information gathering on Carter has begun.
Only time will tell whether the charges against Carter will affect his draft status, but one thing is for certain. Everything Carter does from now up until the first round of the draft in late April will be under a microscope.
