Lucky for Jalen Carter: The defensive player, long considered a top prospect for the upcoming NFL Draft, will not have to go to jail after a momentous traffic accident that killed a former teammate.

In his trial for speeding and reckless driving, Jalen Carter got off with a slap on the wrist. The 21-year-old, long considered one of the top prospects for the upcoming draft, agreed with the Georgia attorney general’s office on a suspended sentence of 12 months.

In addition, the star of the Georgia Bulldogs college team must pay a fine of 1,000 US dollars. In addition, Carter was ordered to perform 80 hours of community service and attend a driver safety training course.

“We are pleased that we were able to work with the Attorney General’s office to reach a fair and just resolution based on the evidence in this case,” Carter’s attorney Kim Stephens told “ESPN. “Mr. Carter continues to grieve the loss of his friends and continues to pray for their families as well as for the continued healing of his injured friends. “

Carter escapes long prison sentence

Carter had been accused of being instrumental in a mid-January accident that killed his Georgia teammate Devin Willock and teammate Chandler LeCroy. Carter had been temporarily arrested but was allowed to leave after paying bail.

At about 2:30 a.m., just hours after the Bulldogs’ championship celebration, police say Carter in a Jeep, as well as LeCroy in an SUV that included Willock, changed lanes several times during a race on Athens streets and drove into the oncoming lane at speeds that were clearly too fast.

According to the report,

LeCroy was travelling at speeds of almost 170 km/h before her fatal accident. The team member was posthumously measured to have an alcohol level of almost two per mille.

However, the investigation concluded that Carter was not significantly responsible for the accident. “Had the investigation concluded otherwise, Mr Carter would have been charged with the far more serious offences of involuntary manslaughter and grievous bodily harm by vehicle under Georgia state law, both felonies, and would have faced a lengthy prison sentence,” Stephens said.

Jalen Carter not in top form at Pro Day

In addition, Carter was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, nor were any illegal substances detected.

Defensive lineman Carter had participated in his college’s pro day on Wednesday, but did not present himself in top shape. He weighed about five pounds more than he did at the Combine a fortnight ago and decided to do only position drills, which he did not finish.