Jalen Carter, potential No. 1 NFL draft pick, booked into Georgia jail, vows to be 'fully exonerated'

Jalen Carter, a erstwhile Georgia standout protect lineman who could beryllium nan No. 1 wide prime successful nan upcoming NFL Draft, was booked into jailhouse precocious Wednesday nighttime connected charges of reckless driving and racing connected highways/streets.

Carter was initially successful Indianapolis to return portion successful nan NFL Scouting Combine but rushed backmost to Atlanta where an apprehension warrant was issued for his alleged engagement successful a clang that killed 1 of his Georgia teammates and different unit personnel connected nan shot team. He was booked astatine 11:33 p.m. ET successful nan Athens-Clarke County Jail and released astatine 11:49 p.m. ET.

The 21-year-old released a connection connected nan rumor earlier going backmost to Georgia to move himself in, saying he would beryllium "fully exonerated of immoderate criminal wrongdoing."

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Georgia protect lineman Jalen Carter speaks during media time up of nan nationalist title NCAA College Football Playoff crippled betwixt Georgia and TCU, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, successful Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

"This greeting I received a telephone telephone from nan Athens, Georgia, constabulary section informing maine that 2 misdemeanor warrants person been issued against maine for reckless driving and racing," Carter’s connection publication Wednesday. "Numerous media reports besides person circulated this greeting containing inaccurate accusation concerning nan tragic events of January 15, 2023. It is my volition to return to Athens to reply nan misdemeanor charges against maine and to make definite that nan complete and meticulous truth is presented. There is nary mobility successful my mind that erstwhile each of nan facts are known that I will beryllium afloat exonerated of immoderate criminal wrongdoing."

Carter is accused of racing his 2021 Jeep Trackhawk against nan 2021 Ford Expedition driven by recruiting staffer, 24-year-old Chandler LeCroy, which led to nan Jan. 15 wreck. The clang occurred conscionable hours aft nan Bulldogs celebrated their 2nd consecutive title pinch a parade ceremony. Georgia violative lineman Devin Willock was besides killed successful nan crash.

Georgia protect lineman Jalen Carter, #88, waves to nan crowd earlier nan nationalist title NCAA College Football Playoff crippled betwixt Georgia and TCU, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, successful Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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"The charges announced coming are profoundly concerning, particularly arsenic we are still struggling to header pinch nan devastating nonaccomplishment of 2 beloved members of our community," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. "We will proceed to cooperate afloat pinch nan authorities while supporting these families and assessing what we tin study from this horrible tragedy."

Georgia Bulldogs protect lineman Jalen Carter, #88, against nan TCU Horned Frogs during nan CFP nationalist title crippled astatine SoFi Stadium successful Inglewood, California, Jan. 9, 2023. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Georgia Bulldogs protect lineman Jalen Carter, #88, against nan TCU Horned Frogs during nan CFP nationalist title crippled astatine SoFi Stadium successful Inglewood, California, Jan. 9, 2023. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Georgia violative lineman Warren McClendon, who had conscionable announced plans to participate nan NFL Draft, sustained insignificant injuries successful nan crash. Georgia football staffer Victoria Bowles was hospitalized pinch much superior injuries.

Nolan Smith, a erstwhile Georgia linebacker, was coming astatine nan scouting harvester and sewage affectional erstwhile talking astir nan fatal incident.

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Georgia Bulldogs caput coach Kirby Smart celebrates aft defeating nan TCU Horned Frogs during nan CFP nationalist title crippled astatine SoFi Stadium successful Inglewood, California, Jan. 9, 2023. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

"This is nan first clip I’m talking astir it," Smith said. "That’s my guy. That’s 1 personification that ne'er did thing wrong. I get delicate talking astir it conscionable because I emotion him. He ne'er did thing incorrect successful his 3 years."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.