ATHENS, Ga. – A new complaint filed by a passenger involved in the fatal crash that took the lives of Georgia football player Devin Willock and staffer Chandler LeCroy alleges that drinking and driving was a “common” occurrence among Georgia recruiting staff. This amended complaint sheds light on the circumstances leading up to the tragic accident.
The complaint states that Victoria Bowles, a Georgia recruiting analyst, was a passenger in the SUV driven by LeCroy on January 15, 2023. According to Athens-Clarke County police, LeCroy was driving at a staggering speed of 104 miles per hour and had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.197 percent at the time of the crash.
Bowles claims that she had no knowledge of LeCroy or Jalen Carter, a former Georgia defensive lineman who was also driving, being under the influence. As Carter and LeCroy engaged in a street race, Bowles expressed her objections, but LeCroy ignored her pleas.
Due to the crash, Bowles sustained severe injuries, including lacerated kidneys and 10 fractured ribs, as stated in the lawsuit.
The SUV involved in the accident was owned by the University of Georgia Athletic Association, which emphasized that it was intended solely for “recruiting activities” and not for personal use.
Contrary to the previous understanding, the amended complaint alleges that LeCroy had been granted permission to keep the SUV beyond the night of the crash. Furthermore, text message evidence dating as far back as 2019 supports this claim.
The lawsuit further reveals that LeCroy had a history of reckless driving with at least four speeding tickets, including two “super speeder” citations. The Association, according to the complaint, not only knew about these tickets but also assured LeCroy of their intervention on her behalf.
The complaint goes on to allege that football staffers, with the Association’s knowledge, regularly consumed alcohol at Athens’ establishments and then drove recruits and their guests. Text messages even suggest that supervisors and coaches at times encouraged recruiting staff to drink alcohol in the presence of football prospects’ families, fully aware that they would be driving shortly after.
The complaint takes it a step further, alleging that staff members also drank and drove after events held at head coach Kirby Smart’s residence.
After pleading no contest to charges of misdemeanor reckless driving and racing, Carter was sentenced to 12 months on probation, a $1,000 fine, and 80 hours of community service.
When the complaint was initially filed in September 2023, the Athletic Association denied any liability.
The complaint is seeking nearly $175,000 in damages. These revelations come in addition to the previous lawsuit filed by Willock’s family against the University of Georgia following the deadly crash.
In conclusion, the amended complaint from Victoria Bowles provides distressing details regarding the culture of drinking and driving among Georgia recruiting staff, shedding light on the events that led up to the tragic loss of Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy. The University of Georgia Athletic Association now faces further legal scrutiny as the lawsuit unfolds.