Jalen Carter not yet in the clear after latest developments in fatal car crash

Things keep getting worse for Philadelphia Eagles 2023 first-round pick Jalen Carter.

Carter was named as a defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the father of Devin Willock against Carter, the University of Georgia Athletic Association and others claiming they should be held liable for the Jan. 15 crash that killed his son, Devin, an offensive lineman on the Georgia football team, and UGA recruiting staffer Chandler Lecroy.

Then less than 24 hours later, it was reported that Carter was driving with a suspended license at the time of the crash, according to court documents obtained by ESPN.

Carter was allegedly driving an SUV that was racing an SUV driven by Lecroy with Willock as a passenger. Willock’s father is seeking $40 million in damages ($10 million from Carter) in his wrongful death lawsuit. He even referenced two other run-ins Carter had with Georgia police including a citation for running a red light on Sept. 2, 2022, and a speeding ticket het got on Sept. 22, 2022. 

Carter pleaded no contest not long before the draft, where the Eagles took him No. 9 overall, and was sentenced to 12 months of probation along with 80 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine. However, he was not charged for driving with a suspended license.

Court documents show Carter’s license was suspended in Nov. 2022 following a speeding ticket he received in Florida in July 2022. The 22-year-old lineman paid a $133 fine and agreed to attend traffic school but failed to do so despite being afforded a two-month period to do so. Carter’s license was reinstated 11 days after the fatal crash after he paid a $150 fee.

The Eagles have not publicly commented on Carter’s situation. He signed a four-year, $21.8 million contract with Philadelphia on May 4.