Mutts

[kg01]

I've been trying to think of the nicest way to say this, but Jalen Carter might have just gotten into more trouble than we realize. If he was at the scene, he had to have seen how bad that wreck was. He left without even calling 911 to get assistance on the way. This could possibly put him into further legal peril. In some states, leaving the scene of a crash you were involved in without rendering aid or calling 911 can get manslaughter added to the list of crimes you are indicted for. So far he has misdemeanors he has been charged with. I can easily see felony charges forthcoming once they get all the info together.

Oddly, I could see him walking away with community service because he'll "just" get misdemeanor charges.

I could also see the scenario playing out as you describe.

I remember a young girl causing and leaving the scene of an accident years ago. She painted the car to try and avoid getting caught. She ended up getting the manslaughter charges you described and is now in jail, last I remember. I don't think the Carter kid went to those lengths, but he was certainly evasive.

I wonder if the Athens police will have the guys to follow the evidence or of they'll take the easy way out. Seems they were preparing to head down Easy St. before the ajc forced their hands.

 

[kg01]

On another note, I had a childhood friend who was a habitual reckless driver including impromptu racing. Had several speeding tickets and other violations. An overall bad driving record.

Eventually the inevitable happened and, during a race, he rear-ended and killed a young mother. He got sent to jail.

Circumstances aren't the same as this case but they're pretty close. If there's video or other proof this was a race, with his apparent poor driving record, this has the chance to end very poorly for him.

 

[TooTall]

Did he call 911 to try and save 4 lives? Or did he call the teams police liaison to save HIS life?

 

[forensicbuzz]

The AJC has done an incredible job of running this story to ground and I'd be surprised if it stops here. There are still a lot of unanswered questions about this incident.

I think it's the police running the case to ground and the AJC just reporting it (investigative reporting). A lot of pressure on A/CC police to be thorough and transparent. The AJC has to be careful not to hinder the police investigation. This is going to end badly for sure now. uga isn't going to be able to dodge this bullet. A drunk AA employee driving 104mph with students in the car, resulting in a fatality.

 

[Augusta_Jacket]

I think it's the police running the case to ground and the AJC just reporting it (investigative reporting). A lot of pressure on A/CC police to be thorough and transparent. The AJC has to be careful not to hinder the police investigation. This is going to end badly for sure now. uga isn't going to be able to dodge this bullet. A drunk AA employee driving 104mph with students in the car, resulting in a fatality.

Sure, the police are doing the investigative work that matters as far as criminal charges go but in an area that is more worried about the tarnish that might come to the NC Trophy from this, it's refreshing to see the AJC not letting this drop. After all, this was initially presented as a freak tragic accident, not as the result of criminal activity. The AJC dug into it and exposed a lot that uga was apparently content to let get swept under the rug. As you said, this is going to end badly for multiple people before this is all over.

 

[forensicbuzz]

Sure, the police are doing the investigative work that matters as far as criminal charges go but in an area that is more worried about the tarnish that might come to the NC Trophy from this, it's refreshing to see the AJC not letting this drop. After all, this was initially presented as a freak tragic accident, not as the result of criminal activity. The AJC dug into it and exposed a lot that uga was apparently content to let get swept under the rug. As you said, this is going to end badly for multiple people before this is all over.

As the details became more clear, I'm not sure uga would have tried to sweep it under the rug. Certainly, they aren't going to spotlight their bad behavior (or that of their employees), especially while the investigation is still ongoing, but in light of everything that happened, I can't believe uga thought this would just "go away" and they would be able to handle it quietly. I envision that uga will work hard to get out in front of this as more damning details come to light and that means their program with undergo some serious changes and increased oversight. 104 mph and racing while intoxicated...in a rental.

 

[slugboy]

Sure, the police are doing the investigative work that matters as far as criminal charges go but in an area that is more worried about the tarnish that might come to the NC Trophy from this, it's refreshing to see the AJC not letting this drop. After all, this was initially presented as a freak tragic accident, not as the result of criminal activity. The AJC dug into it and exposed a lot that uga was apparently content to let get swept under the rug. As you said, this is going to end badly for multiple people before this is all over.

In Athens, people died in a car wreck and now the sure-thing high-first-round NFL draft pick who is associated with that wreck is facing charges. In Tuscaloosa, a sure NBA lottery pick is associated with a fatal shooting, and there’s far less press and the star athlete is not facing charges.

I think the AJC has made a huge difference here.

 

[bobongo]

Jalen Carter had been warned:

Bodycam video: Officer pleaded with UGA player to stop speeding months before deadly crash

Police body camera footage released Wednesday revealed that a University of Georgia football player charged in a deadly car crash had received a warning from police regarding his driving months before the crash.

www.yahoo.com

New police body camera footage released Wednesday reveals that a University of Georgia football player charged in a deadly car crash had received a warning from police regarding his driving months earlier.

A new video obtained by ABC News and Channel 2 Action News on Wednesday shows an Athens-Clarke County police officer pull Carter over on Sept. 22, 2022, for driving 89 mph in a 45 mph zone. Carter appeared to be driving the same black 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk he was driving on Jan. 15 in the moments before the fatal crash.
In the September video, the officer tells Carter that he had already pulled over two other UGA players for speeding, including one of his teammates, just minutes earlier.
“Y’all need to slow down, dude,” the officer said.

In the September video, the officer tells Carter that he had already pulled over two other UGA players for speeding, including one of his teammates, just minutes earlier.

“Your break is you’re not going to jail. Because that would make all kinds of news, right?” the officer said.

 

[Home Park Jacket]

That's lack of institutional control if I've ever seen it.

 

[kg01]

“Your break is you’re not going to jail. Because that would make all kinds of news, right?” the officer said.

I hope they're all happy. You saved him and the school some minor embarrassment.

On the flip side, these other young people might be alive if you'd done your job instead of live on the knees of your fanhood.

 

[bobongo]

I hope they're all happy. You saved him and the school some minor embarrassment.

On the flip side, these other young people might be alive if you'd done your job instead of live on the knees of your fanhood.

WHAT? Carter wasn't let off - he was cited for speeding. True he could have been cited for reckless driving, but a speeding citation is reasonable. And he was the third one that day cited by the same cop.
I've been given a pass before myself by traffic cops and it certainly wasn't due to UGA "fanhood". I don't see any favoritism toward UGA athletes in this town from the cops. Police around here nail these guys right and left.

 

[bobongo]

That's lack of institutional control if I've ever seen it.

?

 

[Augusta_Jacket]

From the AJC article:

"Police cited Carter three times for traffic violations in Athens during the fall semester, court records show.

On Aug. 23, the university police department issued him a ticket for parking in a handicapped zone near the school’s athletic complex. A notation in court records shows that the $288 fine was paid on Nov. 1 by “Gant.” The Journal-Constitution reported last month that Bryant Gantt, the football team’s director of player support, often intercedes when players run afoul of the law.

The university police cited Carter again on Sept. 2 for failure to obey a traffic control device on Georgia’s East Campus. Court records show “Grant - coach” as appearing on Carter’s behalf. Carter was fined $185.

And on Sept. 22, an Athens officer ticketed Carter for driving 89 in a 45 mph zone west of downtown. The officer also cited him for having excessive tinting on his car windows and windshield. A judge fined Carter $1,013 for speeding and $151 for each of the tinting violations."

We can see that there is also a pattern with Gantt representing Carter (and possibly other athletes as well) and even paying his fine. I'd like to see Carters cell phone logs from the night of the wreck. If his first call was to Gantt it paints a pretty damning picture of the culture at uga. This, IMO, is what Mark Bradley was really alluding to when he says he wants to hear from Smart on this issue.

 

[Augusta_Jacket]

WHAT? Carter wasn't let off - he was cited for speeding. True he could have been cited for reckless driving, but a speeding citation is reasonable. And he was the third one that day cited by the same cop.
I've been given a pass before myself by traffic cops and it certainly wasn't due to UGA "fanhood". I don't see any favoritism toward UGA athletes in this town from the cops. Police around here nail these guys right and left.

I think he was referring to the second part of the quote: “Your break is you’re not going to jail. Because that would make all kinds of news, right?” the officer said.

Just saying that makes it appear the cop is extending unmerited grace. I have no issue with Carter only receiving a ticket, but that comment looks very bad, especially in the light of recent events.

 

[Golden Tornadoes]

WHAT? Carter wasn't let off - he was cited for speeding. True he could have been cited for reckless driving, but a speeding citation is reasonable. And he was the third one that day cited by the same cop.
I've been given a pass before myself by traffic cops and it certainly wasn't due to UGA "fanhood". I don't see any favoritism toward UGA athletes in this town from the cops. Police around here nail these guys right and left.

He absolutely was let off. Dude was going almost DOUBLE the speed limit. That is absolutely worthy of a trip downtown....well, unless you're a high-profile ugag football player caught by the A-CC police department.

 

[kg01]

WHAT? Carter wasn't let off - he was cited for speeding. True he could have been cited for reckless driving, but a speeding citation is reasonable. And he was the third one that day cited by the same cop.
I've been given a pass before myself by traffic cops and it certainly wasn't due to UGA "fanhood". I don't see any favoritism toward UGA athletes in this town from the cops. Police around here nail these guys right and left.

We'll just have to agree to disagree. And I guarantee the next time you nearly double the speed limit, it won't be a 'pass' you'll be given.

Given his driving record that we know of, at the time of that incident, there's no interpretation of that other than reckless driving.... unless undue courtesy is extended.

And none of this even takes into account the allegation that he was seen allegedly racing in a whole separate other incident. But the cop couldn't catch up to the 2 cars since they were going so fast.

The whole thing smells and none of them deserve the benefit of the doubt.

 

[bobongo]

I think he was referring to the second part of the quote: “Your break is you’re not going to jail. Because that would make all kinds of news, right?” the officer said.

Just saying that makes it appear the cop is extending unmerited grace. I have no issue with Carter only receiving a ticket, but that comment looks very bad, especially in the light of recent events.

Maybe, but it could also have been the cop's way of emphasizing that it could have been worse, so watch it. Lots of players have ended up "in the news" around here.

I think there are all sorts of shenanigans pulled by the UGAAA, but I don't see much, if any, favoritism by police. What concerns me far more than Carter being given a speeding ticket than being cited for reckless driving is the fact that his fine was paid by a UGA official. That would be yet one more thing for the NCAA to look into, if they were interested. But nothing will happen - nothing at all.

 

[Augusta_Jacket]

Maybe, but it could also have been the cop's way of emphasizing that it could have been worse, so watch it. Lots of players have ended up "in the news" around here.

I think there are all sorts of shenanigans pulled by the UGAAA, but I don't see much, if any, favoritism by police. What concerns me far more than Carter being given a speeding ticket than being cited for reckless driving is the fact that his fine was paid by a UGA official. That would be yet one more thing for the NCAA to look into, if they were interested. But nothing will happen - nothing at all.

The mere fact that there was, informally at least, a procedure that dictates to call Gantt first in any issue involving law enforcement is extremely concerning. Having the school pay your speeding infractions for you is impermissible benefits. We lost an ACC title for $350 in clothing. If the NCAA was so inclined, they could easily strip a natty for playing with an ineligible player. Like you, however, I doubt the NCAA has the intestinal fortitude to go down that path.

 

[kg01]

Maybe, but it could also have been the cop's way of emphasizing that it could have been worse, so watch it. Lots of players have ended up "in the news" around here.

I think there are all sorts of shenanigans pulled by the UGAAA, but I don't see much, if any, favoritism by police. What concerns me far more than Carter being given a speeding ticket than being cited for reckless driving is the fact that his fine was paid by a UGA official. That would be yet one more thing for the NCAA to look into, if they were interested. But nothing will happen - nothing at all.

Finally!

Finally, we agree on something.

 

[yeti92]

WHAT? Carter wasn't let off - he was cited for speeding. True he could have been cited for reckless driving, but a speeding citation is reasonable. And he was the third one that day cited by the same cop.
I've been given a pass before myself by traffic cops and it certainly wasn't due to UGA "fanhood". I don't see any favoritism toward UGA athletes in this town from the cops. Police around here nail these guys right and left.

A $1000 fine for going double the speed limit is absolutely letting him off easy. 89mph on any road is a Super Speeder in Georgia and is completely unecessary on the highway, much less a 45mph road. It's extremely reckless. 89 is likely not the top speed he was hitting on that road either, just what he got "caught" doing. I've seen that Gantt also paid the ticket, so basically no punishment other than a stern talking to from the police officer.

If you are going tell us you got caught doing 45mph over the speed limit and the cops just wrote you a speeding ticket and said you are good to go, well I just don't think I believe that.