Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter, projected as one of the top players in next month’s NFL draft, has been charged with reckless driving and racing in correlation with a fatal crash that left a Georgia football player and recruiting staffer dead.

Carter was racing his 2021 Jeep Trackhawk against the 2021 Ford Expedition driven by the recruiting staffer, 24-year-old Chandler LeCroy, which led to the Jan. 15 wreck.

According to the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, an arrest warrant for the draft prospect was made and Carter issued a statement on Wednesday calling the crash, “tragic.”

Carter, 21, also addressed the inaccurate media reports about the crash but was not able to grant any details of the report.

He continued, “It is my intention to return to Athens to answer the misdemeanor charges against me and to make certain that the complete and accurate truth is presented. There is no question in my mind that when all the facts are known that I will be fully exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing.”

According to USA TODAY Sports, Athens police spokesperson Shaun Barnett said that the department had been in touch with Carter’s representatives and the expectation was that he would turn himself in. Carter’s agent did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment.

“The charges announced today are deeply concerning, especially as we are still struggling to cope with the devastating loss of two beloved members of our community,” Georgia football coach Kirby Smart said in a statement.

“We will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities while supporting these families and assessing what we can learn from this horrible tragedy.”

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