- By Brandon Drenon
- BBC News, Washington
source of images, Getty Images
University of Georgia football star Jalen Carter has been issued an arrest warrant in connection with a fatal car accident.
A high-profile college football star for the NFL is at risk of arrest for a car accident that killed two people, including one of his teammates.
Georgia police have an arrest warrant for 21-year-old Jalen Carter for alleged reckless driving and racing after the January 15 collision.
On Twitter, Mr Carter issued a statement saying he expects to be “fully exonerated”.
He was widely projected to be one of the top five NFL draft picks next month.
Being chosen virtually guarantees footballers becoming millionaires overnight.
Police say Mr. Carter, a Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle, was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk in a high-speed race that ended in the death of scouting analyst Chandler LeCroy, 24. of the team, and Devin Willock, 20 years old. , teammate of Mr. Carter.
Ms. LeCroy was driving a Ford Expedition at speeds over 100 mph. Toxicology reports showed she had a blood alcohol concentration more than double the legal limit.
Two other members of the Georgia football team were injured in the accident, which police say initially involved only one vehicle.
“Evidence showed that the two vehicles changed lanes, entered the center turn lane, entered opposing lanes of traffic, passed other motorists and drove at high speeds, in an apparent attempt to outrun,” Athens said. the Clarke County Police Department said in a statement.
Mr Carter received the notice of the arrest warrant on Wednesday while in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the NFL Appreciation Harvester, an annual event that serves as an official audition for football’s top players. university.
It precedes the NFL Draft, where young athletes hope to fulfill their football dreams and contracts worth tens of millions of dollars are on the line.
On Twitter, Mr Carter issued a statement saying he would return to Athens, Georgia to respond to the misdemeanor charges and “ensure the full and accurate truth is presented”.
He said the media contained “inaccurate information” about the accident, without specifying the details.
University of Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart said: “The charges announced today are deeply concerning, especially as we continue to struggle to come to terms with the devastating loss of two well-appointed members. -loved by our community.”
The crash happened six days after Georgia won its second straight college football national championship and hours after a parade celebrating the win.