Georgia’s Jalen Carter Enters Plea Deal, Avoids Jail Time for Charges

He was charged with reckless driving and racing but will not face any jail time.

Former Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter has entered a deal with Athens-Clarke County solicitors and will not receive any jail time for his connection to a fatal January crash that killed two members of the Bulldogs’ football program, his lawyer, Kim T. Stephens, told several media outlets Thursday. Carter has pleaded no contest and will receive 12 months probation, pay a $1,000 fine, perform 80 hours community service and finish a driving course. 

Carter was charged with reckless driving and racing, both misdemeanors. On the morning of Jan. 15, Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy were killed in a car crash that injured two other passengers. Though initially thought to be a single-car crash, police announced March 1 that they believed Carter and LeCroy were racing. 

Statement from top NFL Draft prospect Jalen Carter’s attorney, Kim T. Stephens, confirming Carter entered no-contest pleas to two misdemeanor charges today and saying his actions “did not cause the tragic accident” that took a teammate’s life. pic.twitter.com/9KPsCTe0pP

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 16, 2023

“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,” Stephens said in the release. “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.”

The lawyer also stated that Carter’s actions “did not cause the tragic accident.”

“If the the investigation had determined otherwise, Mr. Carter would have been charged with far more serious offenses of vehicular homicide and serious injury,” the statement read. 

It was also reported by the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that, at the beginning of the investigation, Carter told police that he was nearly a mile away from the car when the crash happened, However, he later said he was close enough to see the car’s tail lights and acknowledged he was alongside the other car. Police said LeCroy’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.197 at the time of the incident, and investigators determined “that alcohol impairment, racing, reckless driving and speed were significant contributing factors to the crash.” 

According to Stephens, Carter was not under the influence of any alcohol or drugs. Additionally, the statement said Carter never left the accident scene without being told he could leave. Carter stopped his car and ran toward the wrecked car while his passenger called 911.

“Even after being informed that he could leave, Mr. Carter returned to the scene at the request of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department to answer additional questions and continued to cooperate in the investigation,” Stephens said.

News of the charges broke just before Carter was scheduled to speak at the NFL combine, leading to his departure for Athens before speaking to the media. He would go on to work out for all 32 teams at Georgia’s pro day, but took part in only position drills. He did not finish the drills and didn’t participate in other aspects of the workout, including the 40-yard dash, cone drills and other physical tests. He also weighed in at 323 pounds—nine pounds heavier than his weight at the combine.