Georgia OL Devin Willock, recruiting staffer die in car crash [Developments at #68 -- #283 -- #289]

I read an article (Dated March 20, 2023) in the local Atlanta area news media that a family related to this event was thinking about filing a law suit against the the UGA Athletic Department over their policy of use of out their vehicles. At this time it appears that the family either has delayed their suit or has second thoughts.

Here is an excerpt of the article:
"Here is the full statement from the UGA Athletics Association:

“While our review of the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident on January 15 is ongoing, we can now provide clarity on a few points.

The car driven in the accident was one of several vehicles leased by our athletic department for use during recruiting activities only. Policies and expectations that were well understood by athletics staff dictated that such rental vehicles were to be turned in at the immediate conclusion of recruiting duties. Personal use was strictly prohibited. Therefore, the continued use of the leased car by our staff members after their recruiting duties ended earlier that evening was unauthorized.

We are continuing to cooperate fully with investigators. Above all, our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and friends of those we lost and those who were injured in this tragic accident.”

In my opinion, someone with connections with UGA (most likely a supporter/donner/booster) has convinced this family to accept a nice payoff to keep the UGA AD and the parents out of some painful publicity that a law suit will put them trough. Not to just avoid publicity, but to avoid costly litigation and future law suits.

Link Attorney says UGA statement was to rid liability in fatal crash | 11alive.com

 

I agree but I'm not sure that would change anything. UGA is the only game in town in that state and the state police might have some of the same biases that local police do.
It's not like if this happened at UF and it goes to the state police. There are many other programs that kind of water down any perceived bias.

 

How many more recruiting assistants must die to change your processes, Kirby?

Kirby: many of will die, but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make.

 

That’s what it sounds like to me also. On the other hand, was this a normal breaking of the rules that was condoned or was the car really out without permission. If it was just taken, I’d doubt the cash would be paid but you never know.

 

That wouldn't be difficult for a sharp lawyer to determine. My bet was that it was a routine occurrence and there are probably lots of UGa staffers that could confirm. Of course its going to take someone with legal standing to be able to pursue it for it to come out.....otherwise the wagons will get circled.

 

Sports fans are idiots. We are mostly fanatical in our fandom. The girl that was raped and shot by Michael Gipson left Tallahassee but remained a Seminole fan. Women still wear Winston jerseys...

 

the wagons circled on Jan 16 and I bet you are correct that using these vehicles is routine, regardless of the "rules". Even though they are in control-mode (talk and get fired) someone will spill the beans unless they are getting nice "bonuses" to keep quiet.

I also read that the 4 didn't leave the titty bar for 30 minutes after closing, what were they doing for 30 minutes.

 

In most States, if drag racing with another car where someone dies, you don’t get a sweet deal like Carter did. Drinking, speeding, reckless driving, drag racing, and crash resulting in death. talk about failing to investigate

 

You do if the agents of the state and law enforcement are so conflicted/corrupted they’d be willing to act as your defense. Unfortunately very few people are so “privileged” as celebrities, sports stars, and crooked politicians. Actually a college football star in a football crazed state in the south probably has more sway even than most celebrities, unless that celebrity is “local”.

 

The leghumpers aren't going to avoid civil liability for this incident by saying their leghumper recruiter wasn't supposed to be using the car after hours. Their problems with this defense are many.

First, while they may be able to avoid a workers compensation claim from their dead staffer because she was technically "not on the job" at the time of the accident, that is the best they are going to be able to do. And I guarantee that defense is going to be hit with ballistic missiles by the plaintiff's attorneys, and turned to ashes when the truth comes out about how they used the vehicles and what her "job duties" actually were. And the other occupants of the vehicle were not UGA employees, so work comp doesn't even apply to them, so that defense is not even valid. Not to mention, the other occupants of the vehicle weren't parties to the UGA "policy" on use of their vehicles, so it won't even come into to play with them.

Secondly, UGA leased the vehicle, and is responsible for it in the event of an accident, unless it was stolen, which it clearly was not. They have no defense here, to a civil lawsuit (i.e. not work comp), regardless of their so called "policies". Under vehicle leases they are the "owner" legally and responsible for whatever happens with the operation of the vehicle. Their "policies" have no bearing whatsoever on this.

They are screwed and on the hook when civil suits are filed, which they will be, and their pathetic attempts to pretend that that aren't responsible are just that.

 

Just out of curiosity, definitely not trying to defend them... couldn't uga argue technically it was stolen since they had no right to vehicles outside their job duties?

 

You can argue anything, but that is straight up ridiculous. It is a total loser of an argument legally, and otherwise. Don't think this is a unique situation; many companies have tried to play the "stolen vehicle" argument, to no avail.

She had permission to use the vehicle, ergo, not stolen.

 

They can't tarnish their brand by letting any of this go public. They have enough rich alumni to cut a check so no one ever hears about what really happened.

 

Sure! And they might - throw the dead staffer under the bus. “She stole the car!”
Perfect

 

I hope they try that...

 

Not really. They were given keys and chances are high that these vehicles were regularly used for personal use with no repercussions. The rules would have had to be strictly enforced beforehand to make a claim like that.
I’m still not convinced these girls weren’t “working” that night. Seems like it’s exactly what they were there for.

 

It’s pretty sad though that she can get shitfaced and the blame falls on someone else. Only in America

 

Exactly, both staffers jobs were to "take care" of the players.

 

Whatever that means

 

Drunk?