Georgia athletic department officials say the vehicle involved in an accident that killed a football player and employee on Jan. 15 was to be used only for recruiting activities, not for personal use.
The University of Georgia athletic association provided that information in a statement Saturday to The Associated Press, saying that personal use of the SUV was “strictly prohibited.”
Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy, a 24-year-old who worked in the recruiting department and drove the SUV, were killed in the early morning accident that occurred hours after a parade and celebration of the Bulldogs’ second consecutive national celebration. championship. Another player and another employee were in the vehicle and were injured.
Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks said on Tuesday that no one in the car was engaged in athletic matters.
“The car driven in the accident was one of several vehicles leased by our athletics department for use during recruiting activities,” the athletics association said in Saturday’s statement, first reported by the Athens Banner-Herald on Friday night. and Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“Policies and expectations well understood by athletic personnel dictated that such rental cars be returned immediately upon completion of recruiting duties. Personal use was strictly prohibited. Therefore, it was illegal for our employees to continue using the lease car after their recruitment duties ended earlier that evening.”
A police report released Tuesday lists excessive speed on a road with a 40 mph (64 kph) limit as one of the leading causes of the accident.
Offensive lineman Warren McClendon, who had just announced plans to enter the NFL draft, suffered minor injuries. Georgia football staffer Victoria Bowles has been hospitalized with multiple serious injuries.
“We continue to cooperate fully with the researchers,” the statement from the athletics association said. “Above all, our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and friends of those we lost and those injured in this tragic accident.”
