Jalen Carter, a former Georgia Bulldog, on the deadly accident: ‘I apologize for all that transpired
Jalen Carter, a star defensive lineman for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and a projected high pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, found himself at the center of an unfortunate and tragic incident that occurred shortly after his team celebrated their second consecutive national championship victory. The incident, which involved a deadly crash, left the college football world reeling. In his first public statement regarding the crash, Carter expressed deep remorse for his actions and for the lives lost.
On February 5, 2025, Jalen Carter released a public apology to address the events surrounding the fatal accident. This heartfelt message was a combination of deep regret, emotional reflection, and an attempt to take accountability for the tragedy. His words were carefully chosen, as he wanted to convey sincerity while acknowledging the pain caused to the victims, their families, and his community.
The Accident: A Tragic Loss
The incident occurred on January 15, 2023, when two people—Devin Willock, a 20-year-old offensive lineman, and Chandler LeCroy, a 24-year-old team staffer—lost their lives in a high-speed crash. The crash happened just hours after Georgia’s victory parade, when Willock and LeCroy were traveling in a 2021 Ford Tuscan SUV. Investigations revealed that Carter had been racing the vehicle, though details of his direct involvement were still being reviewed.
Carter’s initial response, when details of the accident surfaced, was to express his shock and disbelief at the tragedy. His connection to Willock, a teammate who had become like family, made the event even harder for him to process. Both Willock and LeCroy’s deaths hit close to home, and Carter struggled with how he could have handled the situation differently. As the facts unraveled, it became clear that the events surrounding the crash were a series of unfortunate and reckless decisions made by all parties involved.
Jalen’s Apology: A Public Statement
In the days that followed, the weight of responsibility and the burden of the consequences started to settle in. Carter’s statement, which he released on social media and through various news outlets, was widely anticipated as people awaited his take on the matter.
“I want to start by offering my deepest condolences to the families of Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy. Nothing can bring them back, but I want you to know that I am truly sorry for the pain this incident has caused. I cannot express how much I regret the chain of events that led to this tragedy,” Carter’s statement began.
“While I never intended for this to happen, I understand the consequences of my actions. I want to take full accountability for the part I played in this incident. My actions were reckless, and I deeply regret the choices I made that night. I was part of something that led to a tragic loss of life, and I want to own that,” Carter continued.
Throughout the statement, Carter emphasized his remorse and the emotional toll the accident had taken on him. He expressed a desire to make amends and sought forgiveness, not only from the families of the victims but also from the Georgia football community and his own family, who had stood by him throughout his career. The sincerity of his words demonstrated the depth of his regret, but Carter was also adamant in acknowledging the role he played in the tragic event.
“Devin was like a brother to me. We shared so many moments together as teammates and friends. To know that I will never get to see him again weighs heavily on my heart. Chandler was someone who worked tirelessly to support us on and off the field, and she too was taken from us far too soon. I promise to carry their memory with me every day and to honor them in everything I do moving forward.”
The Role of Recklessness: Accountability and Growth
Carter’s apology also focused on the reckless nature of the incident. His actions—racing another vehicle while under the influence—had set the stage for the accident. In the wake of the tragedy, many questioned his decision-making process and wondered what had led him to take such dangerous risks. Carter, in his statement, explained that while he had made a terrible mistake, he had taken full responsibility for his actions.
“I wasn’t thinking clearly that night. I made a series of bad decisions, and I take full responsibility for that. No one else is to blame. I don’t want to make excuses for what happened. I know that my actions were selfish and have had devastating consequences,” Carter wrote.
He also noted that the loss of Willock and LeCroy had forced him to reflect on the importance of his platform as an athlete and the responsibility he carried. For the first time in his life, Carter acknowledged the consequences of fame and the influence his actions could have on others, particularly young people who looked up to him.
“Being in the spotlight as an athlete is a privilege, but it also comes with an enormous amount of responsibility. I failed to live up to that responsibility, and I’ve let so many people down. It’s something that I’ll have to live with, and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make up for it.”
The Outpouring of Support and Criticism
While many supporters were understanding of Carter’s remorse, others criticized him for his actions leading up to the crash. The accident, which was deemed avoidable by several experts, raised questions about his decision-making and his behavior leading up to that night. Still, the general consensus was that Carter had shown deep remorse and had owned up to his part in the incident.
In the aftermath, the Georgia football program issued a statement acknowledging the pain caused by the crash and affirming their support for those affected. Coach Kirby Smart, in particular, expressed his sorrow for the loss of Willock and LeCroy and assured the public that the team was focused on supporting the families involved. Smart also made a point to highlight that Carter’s actions had been a learning opportunity for both him and the team as a whole.
“There’s no easy way to cope with the loss of a teammate or a member of our team’s extended family. Our program is built on values of responsibility, leadership, and accountability, and Jalen knows that this tragedy will stay with him for the rest of his life. But we’ll continue to support him as he grows from this experience.”
The Path Forward: Learning from Mistakes
Carter’s public apology also marked the beginning of his personal journey toward accountability and growth. He acknowledged that this incident would follow him for the rest of his life, but he vowed to use his mistakes as a catalyst for change.
In the years following the crash, Carter’s journey would take him to places of deep introspection, where he would work to become a better person. His apology was only the beginning of what he hoped would be a lifelong commitment to learning from the tragedy. As Carter’s career continued, he would work toward becoming a more responsible and self-aware individual, understanding that he would never be able to erase the hurt caused by his actions.
His apology, ultimately, was not just for the public, but for himself as well. It was a step toward healing, not only for the victims’ families but also for Carter himself. Moving forward, he expressed hope that this moment could serve as a lesson to others about the importance of making responsible choices, especially when the eyes of the world are upon you.
“I hope that my apology can serve as a reminder to others about the consequences of reckless behavior. To anyone who looks up to me, I want you to know that your choices matter. Please think before you act, and please understand the weight of the decisions you make. It’s not just about you—it’s about everyone around you.”
The tragic accident had forever changed the lives of those involved. But as Jalen Carter apologized for his actions and took responsibility, he began a long and difficult journey of redemption, hoping that with time, people would come to see him not as the player who made a tragic mistake, but as someone who worked hard to make things right.
