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The attorney for Kyren Lacy said the former LSU wide receiver was nearly 100 yards behind a fatal hit-and-run accident despite being charged with multiple felonies.
Lacy, who was set to face a grand jury hearing April 14, 2024 on charges of negligent homicide, reckless operation of a vehicle with an accident and a hit-and-run that caused a fatality related to his involvement, died April 12, 2024 after authorities were called out for a verbal dispute between Lacy and a family member. Lacy fled the scene before police arrived, with the pursuit ending with his death.
Louisiana State Police said following its investigation into the December accident that killed Herman Hall that Lacy "recklessly passed multiple vehicles at a high rate of speed by crossing the centerline" into oncoming traffic in a don't pass zone on Louisiana Highway 20. Lacy turned himself in and posted a $151,000 bond the same day.
State Police say Lacy "drove around the crash scene" following the accident and fled without stopping to help or report the crash and his involvement in it.
“We know from data that Kyren Lacy did in fact pass four cars, there’s no disputing that, further north, Kyren Lacy passed four cars,” Lacy's attorney Matthew Ory told HTV10, showing video of the crash. “However, he was back in his lane of travel, 92.3 yards — back in his lane — behind Mr. Hall. At the time of impact. He’s 72.6 yards behind the vehicles at the time of impact. Key word, behind the vehicles. That is not how this story was ever painted. Never...
"What we know now is he was three times legally what he needed to be back in his lane of traffic."
In February, Ory also denied Lacy caused the car accident that led to Hall's death:
"The collision that resulted in the death of Mr. Herman was not caused by Mr. Lacy’s actions," Ory said. "The accident occurred directly in front of him when a second vehicle in the oncoming lane crossed the centerline and collided with Mr. Herman’s vehicle, in which he was a passenger. We are of information and belief that the vehicle that collided with Mr. Herman’s vehicle was issued a citation. At no time did Mr. Lacy’s vehicle strike the rear of Mr. Herman’s vehicle, nor did any of the vehicles Mr. Lacy passed collide with his. After the collision occurred in front of Mr. Lacy, he cautiously went around the vehicles after passage was safe.
"It is crucial to emphasize that Mr. Lacy did not cause or contribute to the crash. There was no suspicion of alcohol or drug use involved. Furthermore, contrary to some media reports, Mr. Lacy never 'returned' to the scene of the accident."
Lacy started his college career at Louisiana before transferring to LSU prior to the 2022 season.
Over five seasons, Lacy amassed 2,360 yards and 26 touchdowns on 162 career receptions. At LSU, Lacy had 112 catches for 1,628 yards and 16 TDs. As a senior in 2024, Lacy posted a career-high 58 catches for 866 yards and nine scores
"Kyren was a bright star," LSU coach Brian Kelly said in April. "Mental health is one of the facets of player development that you're working with in my field. It's happened before, and I don't take a situation like this as one that could never happen. You're always on guard for it.
"He had an incredible personality. I'll remember him as somebody that had a love for the game, a love for being a Tiger, and was a guy that played with great emotion. When you think of Kyren, you're going to smile most of the time because of the way he handled himself. He was a guy that was full of energy. I think a lot of his teammates will remember him that way as well."
Tigers QB Garrett Nussmeier paid homage to Lacy by wearing Lacy's No. 2 on the inside of his suit jacket at this year's SEC Media Days.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Attorney: Deceased LSU WR was far behind crash that resulted in felony hit-and-run charges
Reporting by Matthew Glenesk and Cory Diaz, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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