The parents of Devin Willock, a former offensive lineman for the University of Georgia football team, have filed a new wrongful death lawsuit two years after their son’s tragic death in a car crash. The lawsuit, which was submitted on Tuesday in State Court in Athens, targets the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. Sharlene and Dave Willock, the grieving parents of the late athlete, are seeking $2 million in damages. The lawsuit was filed through a court-appointed personal administrator who oversees their son’s estate.
Devin Willock was killed on January 15, 2023, following a national championship celebration. At the time of the crash, he was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Chandler LeCroy, a UGA recruiting staffer. Also present in the vehicle was Victoria “Tori” Bowles, who sustained significant injuries in the crash. Bowles had already settled for $1.5 million with the University of Georgia Athletic Association in a separate lawsuit but is still pursuing additional damages from Jalen Carter, a former UGA defensive lineman who is now with the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to police reports, the crash occurred in the early hours of January 15, 2023. Investigators revealed that LeCroy was driving a UGA-rented Ford Expedition at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour, and her blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit. It was also reported that LeCroy and Jalen Carter were allegedly racing at the time of the incident. Warren McClendon, another UGA football player, was also a passenger in the vehicle but only suffered minor injuries.
The new lawsuit filed by Willock’s parents focuses on the negligence of the Board of Regents and claims that the university system is responsible for the actions of its employees. The lawsuit specifically points to the failure of the Board of Regents to properly supervise, train, and monitor LeCroy, who was entrusted with a university vehicle despite a history of reckless driving behavior. The parents argue that the university system knew or should have known about LeCroy’s pattern of unsafe driving and her recent history of speeding with a supervisor in the car. Additionally, the lawsuit contends that neither Willock nor Bowles were aware that LeCroy was intoxicated at the time of the crash and did not consent to participating in the street racing activity with Carter.
The legal action also highlights that LeCroy, Bowles, and other UGA employees were reportedly driving university-owned vehicles after consuming alcohol, which is a central issue in the lawsuit. In 2023, Willock’s family had previously filed a $40 million wrongful death lawsuit against the UGA Athletic Association, Jalen Carter, and the estate of Chandler LeCroy. This new lawsuit against the Board of Regents is considered a final step to ensure that all parties who may be responsible for the fatal crash are held accountable.
Terry Jackson, the attorney representing the Willocks, explained in a statement that the Board of Regents is a distinct entity from the UGA Athletic Association, and this new lawsuit aims to hold all relevant defendants accountable. Jackson emphasized that this legal action was essential to cover all possible avenues for justice.
In response to the filing, the Board of Regents issued a brief statement on Thursday morning, acknowledging that they had not yet been served with the lawsuit. The legal proceedings are expected to continue as the Willock family seeks justice for the untimely death of their son.
