Victoria Bowles, a former Georgia staffer who survived the tragic car wreck that killed a Bulldogs football player and another staffer, is now suing the school and Eagles rookie Jalen Carter with damning new allegations.
The lawsuit, which was filed on Wednesday in Gwinnett County, accuses Carter — who was already charged with reckless racing and driving — of illegally leaving the scene without speaking to law enforcement and failing to render aid.
The crash, which occurred just hours after Georgia football celebrated its second straight national championship with a parade, involved a school-leased SUV driven by recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy and Carter’s car, which was racing LeCroy’s vehicle.
The suit also alleges that Georgia’s athletic department was negligent in allowing LeCroy, who already had multiple reckless driving offenses, to drive the vehicle.
The wreck killed LeCroy and offensive lineman Devin Willock, who were both in the SUV leased by the school.
As LeCroy drove her car at least 104.2 mph with a blood alcohol concentration of .197 — 2.5 times the legal limit — she was reportedly racing a vehicle driven by Carter, a star Georgia defensive tackle who was drafted with the ninth overall pick by the Eagles.
Carter pleaded no contest in March to misdemeanor charges of reckless racing and driving.
Bowles’ lawsuit claims the school gave LeCroy explicit permission to drive the rented vehicle despite knowing her history with reckless driving.
“On the evening of the Championship Celebration, LeCroy told Ms. Bowles that she [LeCroy] had ‘permission’ to keep the SUV ‘until tomorrow,’” the lawsuit said.
Georgia had previously claimed that “rental vehicles were to be turned in at the immediate conclusion of recruiting duties.”
LeCroy already had at least four speeding tickets, including two “super speeder” violations, per the lawsuit.
“The UGA Athletic Association would have reasonably concluded that LeCroy regularly drove at extreme speeds when law enforcement was not present,” the lawsuit argues.
Bowles’ lawsuit is also seeking damages from LeCroy’s estate, claiming she has incurred over $170,000 in medical expenses and “likely permanent disability.”
“We hope that everyone reviews the detailed allegations in the Complaint to accurately understand what really happened that night,” Bowles’ attorney, Rob Buck, said in a statement to ESPN. “Tory is deeply saddened by the loss of Devin and Chandler.
“She greatly appreciates the continued prayers, love and support she is receiving during her difficult recovery.”
