Former University of Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter has returned to the NFL Combine a day after he was arrested on charges of reckless driving and racing related to a car crash in January.
Carter, widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the NFL draft, is back in Indianapolis, Indiana, to complete his interviews, measurements, and other commitments, according to various reports.
JALEN CARTER ARREST: WARRANT OUT FOR TOP NFL DRAFT PROSPECT IN RELATION TO FATAL CAR CRASH
He was booked in Athens, Georgia, on Wednesday night on the two charges and was released 16 minutes later on $4,000 bond, according to the Associated Press.
Carter has opted out of the workout portion of the combine but has been participating in interviews with teams who might look to draft him in April’s league draft. He was scheduled to speak to the media on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. but never took to the podium, instead heading to Georgia to turn himself in after the arrest warrant was issued.
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department said in a statement Wednesday that its investigation determined Carter, driver of a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk, and Chandler LeCroy, driver of a 2021 Ford Expedition, were “operating their vehicles in a manner consistent with racing shortly after leaving the downtown Athens area at about 2:30 AM.”
The toxicology report released by police found LeCroy’s blood alcohol concentration was .197% at the time of the crash. The legal limit in Georgia is .08%. Police had said evidence indicated LeCroy was driving the Expedition at about 104 mph.
“Investigators determined that alcohol impairment, racing, reckless driving, and speed were significant contributing factors to the crash,” the statement said.
Carter said Wednesday that he was returning to Georgia “to make certain that the complete and accurate truth is presented.”
“There is no question in my mind that when all of the facts are known that I will be fully exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing,” Carter said in a statement Wednesday.
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The defensive tackle was a standout during his three seasons at the University of Georgia, with 16 solo tackles, 16 assisted tackles, and two forced fumbles during the 2022 season. He was a unanimous All-American and named to the first-team All-Southeastern Conference team for 2022. The incident in question occurred hours after the university’s parade celebrating the football team’s second consecutive national championship.
