The father of Devin Willock has taken legal action by filing a lawsuit against the University of Georgia Athletic Association, holding the school’s athletic department responsible for the tragic car accident in January that claimed the lives of former Bulldogs offensive lineman Chandler LeCroy and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy.
The lawsuit, filed in Gwinnett County, Georgia, on Tuesday, includes multiple defendants. Apart from the University of Georgia Athletic Association, it also names former Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, the estate of Chandler LeCroy, and Toppers International Showbar, an Athens strip club where the group had gathered prior to the crash.
Attorneys representing Devin Willock’s father, Dave Willock, had previously informed the university’s board of regents about their intention to seek $2 million in damages for Devin Willock’s wrongful death.
In response to the lawsuit, the Georgia Athletic Association released a statement stating that the attorneys who filed the complaint had not provided any factual basis for their claims against the association. The association firmly believes that the allegations are without merit and plans to strongly contest them in court.
During the incident, former Georgia player Warren McClendon and another staff member named Tory Bowles were injured but survived.
According to police reports, LeCroy’s SUV was traveling at a speed of 104 mph when it veered off the road, colliding with two power poles and multiple trees. It was determined that her blood alcohol concentration was .197, almost two and a half times the legal limit in Georgia.
Attorneys for Dave Willock allege that Georgia officials were aware of LeCroy’s history of driving violations, including four speeding tickets within the past six years.
Jalen Carter, who was chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles as the No. 9 pick in the recent NFL draft, received a sentence of 12 months’ probation, a $1,000 fine, and 50 hours of community service after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing related to the accident. He is also obligated to complete a state-approved defensive driving course.
