University of Georgia Fires Football Recruiting Staffer Involved in Fatal Crash
August 8, 2023
ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Georgia has terminated the employment of Victoria “Tori” Bowles, a football recruiting staffer who survived a tragic crash in January that claimed the lives of player Devin Willock and another recruiting staffer. This decision comes less than a month after Bowles filed a lawsuit against the university’s athletic association.
In a statement, the university explained that Bowles’ dismissal was a result of her refusal to cooperate with an internal investigation regarding the crash. However, her attorneys argue that she is being targeted because of her lawsuit, which also names former Georgia player Jalen Carter, a first-round NFL draft pick.
The fatal accident occurred on January 15, just hours after a parade celebrating Georgia’s consecutive national championships. The crash took the lives of Willock, aged 20, and the driver of the Ford Expedition, Chandler LeCroy, aged 24.
Police determined that LeCroy was driving under the influence, with a blood alcohol level over twice the legal limit. Additionally, he was racing against Carter at approximately 104 mph when the SUV veered off the road, hitting two utility poles and a tree before colliding with another tree on the driver’s side where both LeCroy and Willock were seated.
While another Georgia player, Warren McClendon, sustained only minor injuries, Bowles, who was seated in the back next to Willock, suffered significant harm, including lumbar and rib fractures, a spinal cord injury, kidney and liver lacerations, closed head injury with neurological damage, and severe eye pain, according to her lawsuit.
Bowles’ lawsuit, which also involves LeCroy’s estate as an additional defendant, seeks at least $171,595 in general damages, along with punitive damages. The suit alleges that the Georgia athletic association entrusted the rented SUV to LeCroy, despite being aware of her previous speeding violations.
The athletic association clarified that rental vehicles were strictly for recruiting purposes and emphasized that staff members were prohibited from driving at excessive speeds while intoxicated. It maintains that Bowles’ termination was a consequence of her lack of cooperation.
Following the crash, Bowles initially took paid medical leave for several months before being placed on unpaid leave by the athletic association in March. Her attorney, Rob Buck, argues that the university has engaged in a “campaign of intimidation” against his client, who earned less than $12,000 annually.
The university expressed its well wishes for Bowles’ recovery but cited her persistent refusal to cooperate as the reason for her dismissal.