Georgia star safety injured in motorcycle accident after Saturday’s game

Georgia All-American safety Richard LeCounte suffered injuries in a motor-vehicle accident Saturday after the team returned to Athens from its trip to Lexington, Kentucky.

“His injuries are not life-threatening and a full recovery is expected,” the school said in a statement Sunday afternoon.

“Richard LeCounte was injured in a motor-vehicle accident Saturday evening in Athens,” said Ron Courson, UGA senior associate athletic director and the director of sports medicine. “He was transported to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center where he was treated in the trauma center. He is still in the hospital for further medical care.”

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart on Monday said LeCounte’s family and mother Erika Blocker-LeCounte were in town and were with the All-American safety.

“Obviously, thoughts go out to friends, family and Richard. Ron told me he was moved from an ICU room to a regular room. Our team sent a bunch of video messages to him yesterday. We’re expecting a full recovery.”

LeCounte remained hospitalized Monday. Smart did not immediately indicate how much time LeCounte will miss from team activities.

The Telegraph obtained a police report of Saturday’s accident from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department via an open records request. LeCounte was riding what the report called a “dirtbike” at the time of the incident.

The multi-vehicle accident happened outside of Jimbo’s Convenience Store at 520 Macon Highway. A driver was pulling into the store and did not see LeCounte, the report read. The dirtbike lost traction of the front tire and slid into the vehicle’s passenger side after LeCounte locked the brake, according to the report. The impact redirected LeCounte’s bike into the eastbound lane, according to the report, where it was struck by another vehicle.

LeCounte was unresponsive at the scene and transported to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center, according to the police. The report said that LeCounte did not possess a motorcycle license and that his bike wasn’t registered and did not have signal or running lights.

The report included a diagram of the accident.

The school did not confirm any details of LeCounte’s injuries.

According to multiple media reports, LeCounte suffered a concussion and broken ribs.

“All is well,” LeCounte tweeted Monday.

Georgia returned to Athens on Saturday’s 14-3 win over Kentucky. LeCounte forced a fumble in the victory and spoke to the media prior to leaving Kroger Field.

“We would like to thank the emergency medical technicians, physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel who helped care for Richard,” Courson said in Sunday’s school statement. “Richard’s family would also like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and well-wishes during this time.”

The LeCounte news finished an injury-riddled day for Georgia. During the game itselft, the Bulldogs lost a slew of defenders — including fellow safety Lewis Cine. Other players injured were Quay Walker, Jordan Davis (spotted in a sling), Tyrique Stevenson and Julian Rochester.

LeCounte’s injury is the second vehicle-related incident over recent weeks. Wide receiver Tommy Bush was hit by a car as a pedestrian after Georgia’s win over Tennessee.

LeCounte leads Georgia with three interceptions on the season.

Georgia (4-1) heads to Jacksonville for its annual rivalry with Florida on Nov. 7. The two teams will compete for the top spot in the SEC East as the foes each have one loss. The winner of next Saturday’s game will control its own destiny for the SEC championship on Dec. 19.

This story was originally published November 1, 2020 at 8:56 AM.