The father of a Georgia football player who was killed in a car crash on Jan. 15 has filed a lawsuit against the University of Georgia Athletic Association and others. He seeks $40 million dollars in damages for the crash that killed his son, offensive lineman Devin Willock, and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy.
Dave Willock’s suit was filed Tuesday in Gwinnett County and also names former Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, LeCroy’s estate and Athens strip club Toppers International Showbar as defendants. The group had reportedly gathered at Toppers before the crash, which occurred hours after the football team celebrated its national championship with a parade in Athens.
Last month, Dave Willock told the school’s board of regents that he’d be filing a lawsuit that seeks $2 million in connection to the death of his son.
Willock and LeCroy died after an SUV that LeCroy was driving crashed into two telephone poles and multiple trees. Police say that LeCroy was racing with a car driven by Carter when the crash occurred and was traveling at 104 miles per hour when it veered off the road. LeCroy’s blood alcohol concentration was .197, more than double the legal limit in Georgia.
Willock’s attorneys say that Georgia officials knew about LeCroy’s driving history, which had included four speeding tickets over the last six years.
Carter, who was selected by the Eagles with the No. 9 pick in the 2023 NFL draft last month, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing in connection to the crash. He was sentenced to 12 months probation, a $1,000 fine, 80 hours of community service and the completion of a driving course.
