Richard LeCounte injury update: Georgia safety involved in traffic accident, expected to make full recovery

Georgia safety Richard Lecounte was involved in a traffic accident late Saturday, the school has announced. He is expected to make a full recovery, but will reportedly miss games because of his injuries.

ESPN, citing a statement from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, reported LeCounte was riding a dirt bike when he was hit by a car attempting a left turn. That sent LeCounte’s dirt bike into oncoming traffic, where it struck another car. The accident occurred in Athens, Ga., following the team’s return Lexington, Ky., where the Bulldogs beat the Wildcats 14-3.

LeCounte’s mother, Erika Blocker-LeCounte, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the only reason LeCounte is alive is because he wore his helmet.

“He’s lucky to be alive,” Blocker-LeCounte said. “He was wearing his helmet and (that) saved his life.”

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Ron Courson, Georgia’s director of sports medicine, delivered a statement on LeCounte’s health on Sunday:

“Richard LeCounte was injured in a motor vehicle accident Saturday evening in Athens,” Courson said in a statement. “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. His injuries are not life-threatening and a full recovery is expected. “We would like to thank the emergency medical technicians, physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel who helped care for Richard. Richard’s family would also like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes during this time.”

ESPN reported that the senior suffered a shoulder injury as well as several cuts and bruises, and that he is expected to miss several games following the accident. DawgNation also reported LeCounte was concussed.

LeCounte, a Sporting News preseason All-American, has tallied 26 tackles, one for loss, three interceptions, a fumble recovery and four passes defended in 2020. He had 13 tackles and the fumble recovery against Kentucky, a game in which Georgia kept the Wildcats out of the end zone.

The fifth-ranked Bulldogs (4-1, 4-1 SEC) will take on No. 8 Florida (3-1, 3-1 SEC) on Saturday in Jacksonville. That game will likely decide the winner of the SEC East in 2020.