ESPN hosts walk back Kyren Lacy defense after police release video
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Ryan Clark, Pat McAfee and Scott Van Pelt lashed out at evidence trying to prove Kyren Lacy’s innocence for allegedly causing a fatal crash last year.
But they returned to their earlier sentiments when Louisiana State Police released their own surveillance to defend their findings that Lacy’s “reckless operation” eventually led to the death of a 78-year-old man.
After seeing the video, Van Pelt said Monday night that he “doesn’t remember seeing anything that caused me to react viscerally to the point where I felt my hands shaking.”
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LSU Tigers’ Kyren Lacy celebrates a catch during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on October 26, 2024 in College Station, Texas. (Gus Stark/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)
Van Pelt said of Lacy, who died by suicide in April, “There is a video that shows that this was not the case and that this young man took his own life.”
Clark said Lacy “died knowing he was innocent, having to live with the guilt and consequences of a guilty man” and that “the police… tried to coerce, doctor and use ways to manipulate testimony in a way that put this young man behind bars.”
On Wednesday, after police announced their findings, Van Pelt delivered a monologue on his ESPN show, apologizing “for the underreaction that aired on this show Monday night.”
Lacy faced several charges, including negligent homicide, but died by suicide days before the grand jury was to convene; This means his guilt or innocence can never be determined in a criminal court. “The only thing that is certain here is that this was a senseless tragedy that occurred in December and was magnified by a second life lost in April,” Van Pelt added.
“It’s always important for me to gather all factual and important information to provide the full story… and when it was discussed in real time Monday evening, I failed to do that. And for that, I apologize,” Clark said on Thursday’s edition of “First Take.”
McAfee said after seeing Lacy’s lawyer’s claims that “he didn’t” and that “we need to get this right.” via OutKick.
McAfee also said in a statement Tuesday, “We thought we had more context. More video has now been made available and it shows even more context. It shows that Kyren Lacy was driving on the wrong side of the road, and he could have easily made the case that he caused the car to leave the road and caused the tragic accident. We apologize for creating further tension. We will continue to monitor breaking news and this story. This is tragic.” It’s sad and contains the legacy of an athlete.” he said.
LSU Tigers’ Kyren Lacy poses for a portrait during media day at the LSU Indoor Practice Facility on June 17, 2024 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (LSU Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)
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Louisiana State Police released a “Critical Incident Briefing Video” that showed Lacy “driving at a high rate of speed, passing three passenger vehicles and one loaded 18-wheeler at a speed limit of 40 mph in a designated no-passing zone.”
The briefing video showed body camera footage from a witness (the driver of the 18-wheeler) who said Lacy caused the crash. The witness said the driver of a northbound gold truck slammed on the brakes as Lacy’s Charger approached southbound, causing a female driver in a Kia Cadenza behind the gold truck to swerve into the southbound lane to avoid the truck. The Cadenza then struck a Kia Sorrento carrying Herman Hall, which was traveling southbound. Hall died as a result of his injuries.
“The northbound gold truck swerved to the right to avoid a head-on collision with the green Charger. As the gold truck turned right, the driver of the Kia Cadenza spotted the approaching green Charger. In response, the driver of the Kia Cadenza swerved left into the southbound lane and struck a northbound Kia Sorrento,” police said. he said, adding that the driver of the gold truck “reacted appropriately” to avoid colliding with Lacy.
Ory said: Lacy Considering that he was almost a football field away from the wreck when he turned into the correct lane, he could not have caused the accident.
“He was 72.6 yards behind the vehicles at the time of impact. Key word: behind the vehicles. This story has never been told this way. Never,” Ory said.
Kyren Lacy runs the ball as the LSU Tigers face the Nicholls Colonels on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Lousiana. (SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK)
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However, police said, “All evidence collected supports the conclusion that Lacy’s reckless operation of the green Charger against oncoming traffic triggered a chain of events involving other motorists that ultimately resulted in the fatal crash.” he said.
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