UGA head football coach Kirby Smart shared his thoughts after Wednesday’s shocking announcement that star defensive lineman Jalen Carter faces two misdemeanor charges related to his involvement in the wreck that killed Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy.
Kirby released a statement shortly after news broke that Athens-Clark police had obtained arrest warrants for Carter. The development occurred while Carter was in Indianapolis with 11 other former Georgia players preparing for the NFL Combine.
“The charges announced today are deeply concerning, especially as we are still struggling to cope with the devastating loss of two beloved members of our community,” Smart wrote. “We will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities while supporting these families and assessing what we can learn from this horrible tragedy.”
UGA offensive lineman Warren McClendon sustained minor injuries in the January 15 wreck in Athens. Recruiting staffer Tory Bowles was seriously injured.
Carter had been scheduled to speak with reporters in Indianapolis on Wednesday as part of the NFL Combine but did not appear at the media session. He later issued a statement on his personal Twitter account saying he would return to Athens and that he expects to be “fully exonerated.”
Carter entered the offseason viewed by many as the top overall prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft.
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