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Former Georgia employee demands $5 million from Jalen Carter in accident lawsuit

A former Georgia football recruiting analyst who survived the Jan. 15, 2023, accident that killed a player and another staff member is seeking at least $5 million against defensive lineman Jalen Carter, according to a new court filing Thursday.

Victoria “Tory” Bowles alleges in the Gwinnett County state court filing that Carter, the former Georgia star now in his second season with the Philadelphia Eagles, failed to help those in an SUV rented from UGA, after he had an accident early in the morning a few hours later. The team celebrated a national championship.

Recruiter Chandler LeCroy and offensive lineman Devin Willock were killed, while offensive lineman Warren McClendon suffered minor injuries.

Police said Carter and LeCroy were speeding at more than 100 miles per hour before LeCroy's Ford Expedition SUV crashed after exiting Barnett Shoals Road and struck a pole. Carter drove a Cherokee Trackhawk.

Bowles suffered about 20 fractures, including numerous spinal fractures, and suffered from a rare pain disorder caused by spinal cord damage as well as lacerations to both kidneys and liver, as well as a collapsed lung. Her medical expenses to date total at least $171,595 and she has suffered loss of income of at least $17,809 but remains unable to work, the court filing said.

Police said LeCroy's blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit, which contributed to the crash.

Bowles filed her lawsuit in July 2023, settled with the UGA Athletic Association on August 29 of that year, and agreed to dismiss claims “based on the compromise and agreement between the parties” that were not disclosed.

Bowles is seeking at least $5 million for “general damages, including past, present and future physical and mental pain and suffering (in addition to punitive damages)” in Carter's lawsuit, filed by attorneys Rob Buck and Phil Boston US dollars from Breadman Jalen LLC, a company that handled Carter's marketing and NIL opportunities.

Willock's family and his estate are also seeking a $40 million wrongful death civil lawsuit filed last year by Georgia, Carter and others.

Bill Cowsert, Carter's attorney, said Thursday afternoon that he could not comment on Thursday's court filings because he had not yet seen them.

Bowles claims that if Carter had helped her after going to the scene of the accident, he “could have prevented her from moving and potentially injuring herself further before emergency medical services arrived.”

Carter “realized that being publicly involved in a street race that resulted in serious injuries and likely death to accident victims would negatively impact his NFL draft status and therefore his financial future,” the statement said File.

Carter was selected as the No. 10 overall pick in 2023 after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing in March of that year. He received a 12-month suspended sentence, a $1,000 fine and 50 hours of community service.

Bowles' filing said she expressed concern about LeCroy's driving behavior before the accident, “but her concerns were ignored.”

Bowles said in her complaint that she was often separated from LeCroy at night in downtown Athens and that although she saw LeCroy drink some alcohol, she did not consume it to the extent that she was legally drunk or impaired be.

Carter admitted in his answers that he knew the accident had resulted in serious injuries, but did not approach the smoking vehicle to determine whether the occupants were alive, dead, injured or trapped, Bowles' attorneys allege in the latest file.

“Carter chose not to do anything to help his teammates, Ms. Bowles or Ms. LeCroy, against whom he was competing,” the filing said.

The lawsuit says Carter's leaving the scene is evidence that he “negligently caused injury.” It states that Carter is “jointly and severally liable” with LeCroy for damages to Bowles, who was in the back seat.

Bowles is also seeking a judgment against LeCroy as part of her estate for general and special damages for loss of income and diminished earning capacity.

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