The crash that killed Georgia football player Devin Willock and recruiter Chandler LeCroy early Sunday in Athens after the 2021 Ford Expedition failed to make a left turn, hit a curb with the passenger’s front tire, Barnett Shoals road and eventually into an apartment unit, according to a crash report released Tuesday afternoon by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.
The Georgia Motor Vehicle Crash Report determined that excessive speed was a contributing factor in the crash. The posted speed was 40 miles per hour. The investigation is ongoing.
‘A gentle giant’:‘A gentle giant:’ New Jersey product Devin Willock loved playing football for Georgia
ACC Police Lieutenant Shaun Barnett said investigations will determine a more accurate speed based on vehicle data and reconstructing the scene of the accident.
LeCroy was the driver of the vehicle traveling south on Barnett Shoals Road prior to Stroud Road when the vehicle left the roadway, struck a Georgia Power pole and another utility pole, cutting them in half, according to the crash report.
The vehicle continued south on the berm and struck a tree with the rear passenger panel, causing it to spin clockwise before striking another tree with the driver’s side. That caused the expedition to turn counterclockwise before resting against the unit at Shoal Creek Apartments.
A 2017 Ford van parked near the north-facing apartment was struck on top of the vehicle. The owner has been notified.
Police arrived at the scene of the accident at 930 Barnett Shoals Road at 2:55 a.m. Sunday, 7 minutes after dispatch and 10 minutes after the estimated crash time, according to the report.
Willock, from New Milford, NJ, was a third-year offensive guard who started two games during the 2022 national championship season. LeCroy was a football recruiting clerk from Toccoa.
Willock, 20, was in the driver’s side passenger seat. He was thrown from the vehicle, according to the report, and died on the spot. LeCroy, 24, was freed from the vehicle and taken by ESM to Piedmont Regional Hospital in Athens, where she was pronounced dead.
Two others with the football program suffered injuries in the crash.
Georgia offensive tackle Warren McClendon, 21, who was in the front passenger seat, needed a few stitches on his forehead, according to his father. He was transported to hospital. McClendon had signed up for the NFL draft on Saturday afternoon.
Another recruiter, Victoria “Tory” Bowles, 26, was the backseat passenger who was hospitalized with serious injuries and in stable condition, according to the Prince Avenue Christian School where she graduated. She was also taken to Piemonte Athens Regional.
According to the report, Willock and Bowles were not wearing seatbelts.
The crash occurred hours after Georgia Football celebrated its second straight national championship with a parade and stadium event on Saturday.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Devin Willock, Chandler LeCroy crash details released in report
