Harry Lyles Jr.ESPN staff writer2 minute read
Devin Willock’s father has filed a lawsuit against the University of Georgia Athletic Association, alleging that the school’s athletic department should be held liable for the January car accident that killed former Bulldogs forward and recruiter Chandler LeCroy .
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Gwinnett County, Ga., also alleges former Georgia Defender Jalen Carter, LeCroy’s Estate and the Athens strip club Toppers International Showbar, where the group was gathering before the crash, named as the accused.
Attorneys representing Willock’s father, Dave, told the university’s Council of Regents last month that they plan to seek $2 million in damages for Willock’s wrongful death.
“The attorneys who filed the lawsuit have refused to provide factual basis for their claims against the Athletic Association, and we believe the evidence will prove them unfounded,” the Georgia Athletic Association said in a statement . “We intend to vigorously challenge these baseless allegations in court.”
Devin Willock and LeCroy died in an accident on Jan. 15, hours after the Bulldogs celebrated their second straight national championship with an on-campus parade and ceremony. Police said LeCroy was driving an SUV that was racing with Carter’s SUV before the accident.
Former Georgia player Warren McClendon and another staffer, Tory Bowles, were injured but survived.
According to police, LeCroy’s SUV went off the road at 104 miles per hour and crashed into two utility poles and several trees. Police said her blood alcohol level was 0.197, almost two and a half times the legal limit in Georgia.
Lawyers for Dave Willock allege that Georgia officials were aware of LeCroy’s driver’s history, which included four speeding tickets in the past six years.
Carter, who was drafted No. 9 by the Philadelphia Eagles in last month’s NFL draft, was sentenced to a 12-month suspended sentence, a $1,000 fine and 50 hours of community service after failing to plead reckless driving allegations and race had raised in connection with the crash. He must also complete a state-approved defensive driving course.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach contributed to this report.
