The Georgia Bulldogs were struck with tragedy less than a week after celebrating their second consecutive College Football Playoff national title. Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed in an automobile accident earlier this month.
Now, athletic department officials at the University of Georgia are speaking out about the incident. In a statement provided to the Athens Banner-Herald, the school said that the 2021 Ford Expedition that LeCroy was driving was to be used for recruiting purposes, not personal use.
“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.”
According to the Athens Banner-Herald, excessive speed was determined to be the contributing factor to the single-car crash that killed LeCroy and Willock, while also injuring recruiting staffer Tori Bowles and offensive lineman Warren McClendon.
“We are continuing to cooperate fully with investigators,” the athletic association statement 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.”
