UGA athletics offers details about rented car in crash that killed 2 from football program

Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald
·2 min read
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Georgia athletics provided answers Friday surrounding the rented vehicle a UGA football recruiting staffer was driving in a single-car crash that killed her and a player earlier this month.

The 2021 Ford Expedition that Georgia staffer Chandler LeCroy was driving was one of several that UGA athletics leased to be used for recruiting activities only, the school said in a statement provided to the Athens Banner-Herald.

“Policies and expectations that were well understood by athletics staff dictated that such rental vehicles were to be turned in at the immediate conclusion of recruiting duties,” the statement said. “Personal use was strictly prohibited. Therefore, the continued use of the leased car by our staff members after their recruiting duties ended earlier that evening was unauthorized.”

A scoreboard tribute and a moment of silence remembering Georgia Bulldogs football player Devin Willock and football staffer Chandler LeCroy is held before a basketball game.
A scoreboard tribute and a moment of silence remembering Georgia Bulldogs football player Devin Willock and football staffer Chandler LeCroy is held before a basketball game.

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LeCroy, 24, and offensive lineman Devin Willock, 20 were killed in the crash that also injured recruiting staffer Tori Bowles and offensive lineman Warren McClendon.

The crash occurred about 2:45 a.m. on Sunday Jan. 15 on Barnett Shoals Road in Athens, following a parade and stadium celebration that Saturday. Recruits were in town for the festivities.

Excessive speed was determined to be a contributing factor to the crash. Results from a toxicology report are still to come. McClendon suffered minor injuries while Bowles injuries were more serious.

Georgia athletics said in a statement earlier this week that the recruiting staffers were not on duty at the time of the crash.

Coach Kirby Smart, athletic director Josh Brooks, coaches and players attended a celebration of life for Willock on Friday in his home state of New Jersey where he was later buried.

Georgia said its review of the crash is ongoing.

“We are continuing to cooperate fully with investigators,” it said. “Above all, our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and friends of those we lost and those who were injured in this tragic accident.”

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia athletics statement provides answer on rented vehicle in crash