ATLANTA, Ga. — Less than 24 hours after the tragic crash that killed a UGA football player and staff member, Channel 2′s Veronica Griffin spoke with a friend who told her the player will be missed.
On Sunday, Athens-Clarke police confirmed the victims as 20-year-old Devin Willock, an offensive lineman for the Bulldogs, and 24-year-old Chandler LeCroy, a recruiting staff member.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Miles, who currently plays football for Georgia Tech, is a New Jersey native who went to high school with Willock.
“Just trying to keep my mind off of it and my head straight on because I know that’s what he would want,” said Keith Miles Jr., former high school classmate.
“Devin was always there to help guide me with where to go for class and how to be good with teachers – and honestly how to be a good person,” he said.
RELATED STORIES:
- Teammates, fans share condolences over deaths of Bulldogs player, recruiting staffer
- UGA football player, recruiting staff member killed in car crash
- UGA player who declared for 2023 NFL draft injured in crash that killed teammate, staffer
- ‘My heart goes out to the family’: Athens community reacts to crash that killed UGA player, staffer
Head coach Kirby Smart released a statement that stated in part:
“Devin was an outstanding young man in every way and was always smiling. He was a great teammate and a joy to coach. Chandler was a valuable member of our football staff and brought an incredible attitude and energy every single day.”
Thoughts of the UGA family carried over into Sunday’s celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Senator Raphael Warnock asked those in attendance to pray for all of the families affected by the deadly crash.
“We lift these families in prayer. We pray for the city. We pray for the state,” Warnock said.
Meanwhile, Miles will remember his friend from catholic high school as someone who was kind and hard working...and loved his family.
Two other members of the football program, three year offensive tackle Warren McClendon, 21, and Victoria Bowles, 26, were injured but are currently stable. According to Bowles’ Twitter account, she worked on the recruiting staff.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
IN OTHER NEWS:
This browser does not support the video element.