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Former Georgia recruiting staffer sues school, Jalen Carter over fatal car accident
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Former Georgia recruiting staffer Victoria Bowles filed a lawsuit against the Georgia Athletic Association and former UGA defensive lineman Jalen Carter this week.
The lawsuit stems from a fatal car accident back in January that took the lives of Chandler LeCroy and Devin Willock. Bowles survived the accident.
ESPN obtained details of the lawsuit, which was filed in Gwinnett County on Wednesday. Per ESPN’s Mark Schlabach, the lawsuit claims that Georgia officials lied when it made statements indicating that LeCroy didn’t have permission to be driving the leased SUV at the time of the crash.
Here is an excerpt of the lawsuit, via ESPN:
“On the evening of the Championship Celebration, LeCroy told Ms. Bowles that she [LeCroy] had ‘permission’ to keep the SUV ‘until tomorrow. Numerous text messages from recruiting staff supervisors to LeCroy, Ms. Bowles and other staff members show the Association’s statement is false. Recruiting staff were regularly informed they could leave their personal vehicles overnight at the Butts-Mehre football facility and permissively use Association rental vehicles through a specified cut-off date and time, unrelated to their assigned recruiting activity duties.”
The lawsuit also alleges that Carter left the scene despite having a “legal duty” to remain on site. Here’s an excerpt of the lawsuit’s claims against Carter, via ESPN:
“As Defendant Carter was aware at the time, he was jointly responsible for the crash, and had a legal duty to remain on the scene. Instead, in part obviously fearful of bad publicity and the effect on his NFL draft status, he hoped not to be questioned or take any responsibility for his actions.”
Carter was eventually charged with reckless driving and racing for his role in the accident. He pleaded no contest to those charges back in March and was sentenced to 12 months probation.
Bowles’ attorney, Rob Buck, said she suffered “life-altering injuries” in the accident and has incurred more than $170,000 in medical expenses.
Here is a statement from Buck provided to ESPN:
“We hope that everyone reviews the detailed allegations in the Complaint to accurately understand what really happened that night. Tory is deeply saddened by the loss of Devin and Chandler. She greatly appreciates the continued prayers, love and support she is receiving during her difficult recovery.
“She would like to express her gratitude to her entire medical team, as well as Ron Courson, who has worked with Tory and her physical injuries on a daily basis. Tory is disappointed that the Association and its insurers have forced her to resort to litigation to address her life-altering injuries.”
The father of Devin Willock has also filed a lawsuit against Georgia in connection with the wreck.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
