GEORGIA, USA — A former University of Georgia recruiting staffer who survived the devastating crash that killed a football player and another staff member has settled her lawsuit with the university's athletic association.
Lawyers for Victoria S. "Tory" Bowles and the university decided to dismiss the lawsuit after reaching an unknown agreement, according to court documents. Bowles sustained severe injuries during the crash that killed fellow recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy and player Devin Willock on Jan. 15, 2023, in the hours after UGA celebrated its national championship parade on campus with thousands of fans.
Bowles' lawyers and the university filed a joint motion to dismiss on Thursday.
The lawsuit was filed in July, in which the former staffer blamed the deadly January 2023 crash on the athletic association. It also claimed the athletic association negligently entrusted the SUV to another recruiting staffer, LeCroy, who had a history of speeding offenses, while Bowles was in the back seat of the car.
In addition to Bowles' lawsuit against the athletic association, the lawsuit also blames football player Jalen Carter and staff member LeCroy. It alleges both were driving at "extreme speeds" of "at least 104.2 mph, while engaged in street racing for 45 seconds before the crash."
As a result, the lawsuit, which is seeking damages against Carter, the university's athletic association and LeCroy's estate, argues passengers in LeCroy's vehicle had only a brief period of time to speak up against such high speed.
The estate for LeCroy claimed it was not liable for the injuries she had sustained after the crash. Her estate also denied all allegations.
Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, Bowles learned she had been terminated by UGA. The Buck Law Firm said they fired Bowles knowing that she is still unable to work due to "her significant and permanent injuries" and believed it was retaliation over the lawsuit.
A lawyer at the Buck Law Firm released the following statement on behalf of Bowles:
Ms. Bowles will continue to seek justice in relation to her life altering injuries against Jalen Carter, his LLC, and Ms. LeCroy’s estate.
The lawsuit filed by Bowles is not the only one filed involving the Jan. 15 crash. The Willock family is also suing several people tied to the incident and seeking $40 million in damages.
