Eagles rookie Jalen Carter faces lawsuit in death of former teammate, staffer

Stories like these are always tough to write. We wish we had a better story for you, one that would make you laugh or chuckle. Unfortunately, this time around, that isn’t the case. Former Georgia Bulldogs football player Devin Willock’s father, Dave Willock Sr., filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Georgia Athletic Association this past Tuesday in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Rookie Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, Toppers International Showbar, and  Sarchione Auto Group were also named as defendants.

CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah was among the first to issue the report.

It was the Sarchione Auto Group that signed Carter to a NIL deal  (name, image, and likeness), one that provided him with a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk. The lawsuit seeks $40 million in damages in relation to the crash that killed Devin Willock and Georgia staffer Chandler LeCroy in January.

Here are some of the details involving the lawsuit naming Jalen Carter as a defendant.

As most of you know, Willock and LeCroy were killed in a car accident after the Georgia Bulldogs football program celebrated its second College Football Playoff National Championship Game win in as many seasons. The parade was hosted in Athens, Georgia.

Police previously reported that LeCroy, a recruiting staffer, was driving a vehicle leased by the athletic department at speeds reaching more than 100 miles per hour while street racing with Jalen Carter. He lost control, veered offroad, and hit two power poles and multiple trees. LeCroy and Willock passed instantly. Another former Bulldogs player, Warren McClendon, and a team staffer Tory Bowles were also injured.

A warrant was issued for Carter’s arrest, and he turned himself in on March 1st, ahead of positional workouts at the most recent NFL Scouting Combine. He was charged with reckless driving and street racing. A plea of no contest was entered, and he was given 12 months probation, 80 hours of community service, and a $1,000 fine. He was also required to complete a defensive driving course.

In Willock’s lawsuit, he alleges Carter has demonstrated a “pattern of excessive speeding” and the car dealership should have taken that under consideration after he had received multiple speeding tickets in the previous months. We’ll keep you informed as further details become available and are made public.