UGA Staffer Who Survived Fatal Crash Suing For Expenses: Report

ATHENS, GA — Months after the fatal Jan. 15 crash that killed a University of Georgia recruiting staffer and football player, a survivor of the crash is suing UGA and others for more than $170,000 in medical expenses, according to Atlanta News First and the lawsuit.

The outlet reported Thursday Victoria S. Bowles, a UGA recruiting analyst, filed the lawsuit Wednesday in a Gwinnett County state court.

UGA football player Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed in the Athens crash near Barnett Shoals Road. A second football player and a second university employee were injured in the accident. UGA football player Jalen Carter pleaded no contest to reckless driving and racing charges relating to the crash.

Carter, the UGA Athletic Association and LeCroy's estate were named in the lawsuit.

According to the suit, Bowles was LeCroy's backseat passenger. LeCroy was accused of driving a university-rented SUV at least 104.2 mph. Bowles received several injuries in the accident.

Her lawsuit is the second UGA faces in connection with the crash. Willock's family also filed a lawsuit in May in Gwinnett due to the crash. The family sought $40 million.

Regarding Bowles' lawsuit, the UGA Athletic Association said the department is disputing claims made by Bowles.

“We are continuing to review the complaint, as plaintiff’s counsel elected to share it with the media before sharing it with us. Based on our preliminary review, we dispute its claims and will vigorously defend the Athletic Association’s interests in court," the association said in a statement Thursday.

"We stand by our prior statements regarding this matter. The complaint does not allege that Ms. LeCroy and Ms. Bowles were on duty or acting within the scope of their employment in the hours leading up to the accident. It claims that on some previous occasions, recruiting staff were permitted to take rental vehicles home and return them the next morning.

"This does not mean, however, that they were allowed to use the car for any purpose. Recruiting vehicles were to be used during recruiting activities only, personal use of the vehicles was prohibited, and recruiting staff therefore were not authorized to use the rental vehicle for their purely personal activities on the night of the accident or any other time. Under no circumstances were recruiting staff authorized to use rental cars to drive at excessive speeds while intoxicated. While we have patiently supported Ms. Bowles during her long and difficult recovery, we will strongly defend our position in this lawsuit."

Read more about Bowles' lawsuit via Atlanta News First.