Georgia defensive star and likely high NFL draft pick Jalen Carter pleaded no contest to traffic charges in a crash that killed a teammate and a school football staffer hours after the team’s national championship parade.
Breaking: Jalen Carter pleads no contest to traffic charges from fatal crash https://t.co/VrUa9ocNLf
— AJC Sports (@AJCsports) March 16, 2023
Carter was sentenced to 12 months of probation, a $1,000 fine and 80 hours of community service. He also must complete a state-approved defensive driving course.
“We are happy that we were able to work with the Solicitor General’s office to reach a resolution that was fair and just based on the evidence in this case,” attorney Kay Stephens told ESPN. “Mr. Carter continues to grieve for the loss of his friends and continues to pray for their families, as well as for the continued healing for injured friends.”
Stephens told ESPN that Carter did not cause the Jan. 15 accident, in which Georgia football player Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed. Police alleged that Carter and LeCroy were racing at speeds over 100 mph. Carter initially told police he wasn’t at the crash scene. On March 1, he was booked on misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing.
“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,” Stephens said in a statement.
