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Georgia footballers 'involved in ten more traffic-related incidents' since fatal January car crash

Members of Georgia's football program have been involved in at least 10 reports of traffic-related violations in Athens-Clarke County since the January 15 car crash that claimed the lives of a player and staffer, according to a report. 

Bulldogs offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed after a reckless driving incident that was believed to have been caused by street racing. 

Following the tragedy, head coach Kirby Smart claimed that the program had brought in police to talk to players about road safety last summer. 

However, despite words from the police and the tragic events in January, the players appear to have not learnt their lesson. 

Members of the team appear to have reportedly continued their antics with at least 10 reports of traffic-related moving violations involving Georgia players being made since the fatal car crash, according to ESPN. 

Members of Georgia's football program have been involved in at least 10 reports of traffic-related moving violations in Athens-Clarke County since a fatal January 15 crash (pictured)

Members of Georgia's football program have been involved in at least 10 reports of traffic-related moving violations in Athens-Clarke County since a fatal January 15 crash (pictured)

Georgia footballer Devin Willock Georgia football recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy

Georgia footballer Devin Willock and staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed in the January crash

The incidents involving the school's football players even date as far back as 2021 with the report adding that they have been involved in at least 60 other violations, including speeding, distracted and reckless driving and disobeying traffic signs, since the beginning of the 2021 academic year. 

Around 30 of those violations reportedly have occurred since last summer when police are said to have met with the team.  

A report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution backed ESPN's findings, claiming that since Smart took charge of the team in 2015, Georgia players have been charged with driving-related offenses nearly 300 times. 

Those 300 charges included minor offenses, such as failing to wear seatbelt, and those from outside of the county as well, whereas ESPN's data focused on incidents within Athens-Clarke County and excluded the non-moving violations. 

However, both reports still highlight a troubling pattern of behavior within the organization. What is more, it has continued even in the wake of the death of a teammate and staffer. 

'The Athletic Association recognizes the severity of reckless driving and is actively addressing recent incidents with educational measures, mentorship, and when necessary, punitive action. Baseless reports that suggest we tolerate this behavior are categorically false,' the UGA Athletic Association told ESPN. 

The association reportedly added that it intended to bring police back to the school to speak to the program again.  

'Our coaches and administrators are deeply disappointed by the persistence of reckless driving and other misbehavior.'

Athens-Clarke County Police Department said officers' enforcement is 'equal across the board,' in relation to exchanges with Bulldogs. 

However, it is said that they would not reveal if the department has tried to address the issue with players and the school or whether they had offered to speak with the team again. 

Former Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter pleaded no contest in March to a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving and racing and received a sentence of probation, a $1,000 fine and 80 hours of community service.

Philadelphia Eagles pick Jalen Carter was booked for reckless driving in Athens in March

Philadelphia Eagles pick Jalen Carter was booked for reckless driving in Athens in March 

Police obtained surveillance video of the alleged vehicles racing in the Athens streets

Police obtained surveillance video of the alleged vehicles racing in the Athens streets

Police alleged that Carter, who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round this year, was racing LeCroy through the Athens streets at the time of the January 15 crash. 

The wreck occurred Sunday, January 15, at 2.45am just hours after Georgia's victory parade less than two miles from the school campus, when a group of players and team staffers piled into three cars and left a local strip club to eat at a nearby Waffle House, according to police. Willock was pronounced dead at the scene, while LeCroy died shortly after being taken to the hospital. 

Police also have said that LeCroy was legally intoxicated at the time of the crash with a blood-alcohol level of .197. The state limit in Georgia is 0.08.

In March, Carter's lawyer Kim Stephens disputed the claims that Carter caused the accident. 

'First, Jalen Carter's actions on January 15, 2023, did not the cause the tragic accident involving Chandler Lecroy, Devin Willock, Victoria Bowles and Warren McClendon,' Stephens said in a statement, via The Athletic. 

'If the investigation had determined otherwise, Mr. Carter would have been charged with the far more serious offenses of vehicular homicide and serious injury by vehicle under Georgia law, both felony offenses, and would have faced a lengthy prison sentence.' 

It was later revealed in March that Carter had been stopped by police and received a warning regarding speeding just months before he was involved in a fatal car crash in January.

Running back Kendall Milton is considered a repeat offender after being cited and fined for four moving violations in the county, according to ESPN. 

Just one month after the fatal crash, police were alerted to car street racing, revving engines and performing donuts on the same street LeCroy and Carter were said to be racing. 

Carter had previously been stopped by police and received a warning regarding speeding

Carter had previously been stopped by police and received a warning regarding speeding

Among the cars at the scene was a 2019 Lamborghini Urus luxury SUV worth more than $200,000, which was registered to Milton, according to ESPN. 

On March 31, more calls were reportedly made to police complaining of street racing and reckless driving on the same road. 

One of the vehicles involved was also registered to a Georgia player. This time it was a gray Dodge Charger said to be registered to Tykee Smith. 

In both instances is unclear if Milton or Smith were driving the cars at the time and no citations appear to have been issued.

However, the officer who arrived on the scene is said to have not noticed any erratic driving and no citations were issued. 

Other incidents since January 15, included an arrest for reckless driving and speeding, a warning for riding on roadways and bicycle paths, a ticket to wide receiver De'Nylon Morrissette, whose case is pending, for traveling 81 miles per hour in a 45-mile-per hour zone, an accident involving punter Brett Thorson, who was cited for following too closely, and a citation for failing to obey a red light.

Morrisette was also involve in an incident when he was arrested on multiple traffic charges, including driving under the influence of drugs, on May 8 in Oconee County, according to ESPN, who didn't count it in its data due to the arrest taking place outside of Athens-Clarke county. 

Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson, a sophomore, was also arrested in February on counts of racing on city streets and reckless driving, according to Athens-Clarke County jail booking records, in relation to an alleged incident on January 10.

In the wake of Carter and Dumas-Johnson's arrests, Smart defended his program's culture. 

Bulldogs running back Kendall Milton Georgia defensive back Tykee Smith

Two complaints regarding reckless driving reportedly included cars registered to Bulldogs running back Kendall Milton (left) and defensive back Tykee Smith (right) 

Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson, a sophomore, was arrested last week on counts of racing on city streets and reckless driving, according to jail booking records

Bulldogs linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson, a sophomore, was arrested in Febraury on counts of racing on city streets and reckless driving, according to jail booking records

'Absolutely not. I would say we're far from it,' Smart told ESPN in March. 'When you talk to people outside our program that come into it, they talk about what a great culture we do have -- and we do an incredible job. Because I've got a lot of outside entities that come into our program and pour into these young men.

'Do we have perfect young men and women and players? Not necessarily. But I promise you this, that's the intent: for us to grow these guys and get them better. And I feel really good about the culture within our program.'

 He also claimed that the program had tried to address the issue, claim the problem was 'not to be taken lightly.'

The father of Willock, David, filed a lawsuit against multiple parties in the death of his son in a car crash last month.

In the wake of Carter and Dumas-Johnson's arrests, Smart defended his program's culture

In the wake of Carter and Dumas-Johnson's arrests, Smart defended his program's culture

This suit was filed in Gwinnett County, Georgia and names the University of Georgia Athletic Association, former Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, the estate of Chandler LeCroy, and an Athens strip club as defendants.

David Willock informed the university in April through his attorneys that he planned to seek $2million in damages for his son's wrongful death.

His attorney told ESPN Tuesday that it was 'devastating' to David that the behavior had continued and that it was 'disappointing that the players and the Athletic Association are not taking his son's tragic death serious enough to modify their driving habits.'

The UGA Athletic Association reportedly said that a reduction in money as an award for academic achievement could be implemented for 'serious misconduct,' while the disciplinary process could include one-on-one sit downs with athletic director Josh Brooks.

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Larita Shotwell

Update: 2024-01-28