A former University of Georgia recruiting analyst, Victoria Bowles, who was severely injured in a fatal car accident has come to a settlement in her lawsuit against the university’s athletic association almost two years after the incident. Mentioned in a recent court filing, Bowles’ attorneys indicated the dismissal of the lawsuit was due to an agreement reached between the involved parties. Specific details of the settlement remain undisclosed, and Bowles’ lawyers, Rob Buck and Phil Boston, have chosen not to provide any further comments about the matter.
In response to the settlement, the University of Georgia Athletic Association spokesperson, Steven Drummond, mentioned in a statement that both parties agreed to resolve Bowles’ claim to prevent prolonged legal disputes, with neither party accepting any fault. The accident occurred on Jan. 15, 2023, following the university’s commemoration of the Georgia football team’s consecutive national championships. The crash resulted in the fatalities of Georgia recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy and offensive lineman Devin Willock.
According to Athens-Clarke County police investigators, the accident was influenced by speeding and alcohol consumption. The group, which included UGA team members, had been reveling at a downtown Athens strip club before the tragic incident unfolded. LeCroy, the driver of a Ford Expedition rented by the athletic association for the celebration weekend, was found to have a blood-alcohol level of .197, surpassing the legal limit by more than twice.
Bowles’ lawsuit accused the athletic association of negligently entrusting the rental vehicle to LeCroy, who had a record of speeding. Following her legal action against the association in July 2023, Bowles was terminated from her position by the university. While the resolution concludes Bowles’ legal pursuit against the athletic association, her case against LeCroy’s estate and former UGA football player Jalen Carter is ongoing.
Carter, who was taken into custody in March 2023, faced charges of two misdemeanors after investigations uncovered that he was racing LeCroy before the crash. Carter entered a no-contest plea and was instructed to pay a $1,000 fine and fulfill 12 months of community service. Legal representatives for both Carter and LeCroy’s estate have refuted any liability in the case. Furthermore, UGA is confronted with a lawsuit from the Willock family, who have lodged complaints against the athletic association and others similar to Bowles’ claims.
Nearly 20 months post the tragic accident, it continues to cast a shadow over the program, as UGA football has grappled with recurrent speeding and traffic violations by its players. Since the fatal crash in January 2023, UGA football players and staff have been engaged in approximately 24 incidents and arrests associated with speeding, reckless driving, and driving under the influence.
