Legendary ESPN host Scott Van Pelt issued an on-air apology on Wednesday night for his reaction earlier this week to footage released by Kyren Lacy’s attorney, which Louisiana police have since disputed.
Lacy, a former LSU wide receiver and NFL hopeful, took his own life after being charged with felony negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run and reckless operation of a vehicle after a man died in a December 17 car crash.
Prosecutors have alleged that Lacy’s reckless driving caused the crash which ultimately killed 78-year-old Herman Hall. But last week, the lawyer of the late NFL prospect, Matt Ory, provided bombshell details regarding the case, which he claimed proved that his client wasn’t anywhere close to the crash.
The release of fresh surveillance footage, along with Ory’s insistence of Lacy’s innocence, sparked questions over the investigation with many, including analyst Ryan Clark on Van Pelt’s SportsCenter, speaking out on what they perceived to be a miscarriage of justice.
However, Louisiana State Police have since released fresh evidence in opposition to Ory’s claims, which appear to show Lacy speeding in opposing traffic just before the crash.
And, in light of the police’s release, Van Pelt apologized for his ‘incomplete reaction’ to the incident.
Legendary ESPN host Scott Van Pelt issued an on-air apology on Wednesday night
Police have released new footage of the fatal crash allegedly involving LSU star Kyren Lacy
‘Late last week, the attorney for former LSU football player Kyren Lacy released a video challenging the version of events that Louisiana State Police used to cite Lacy in a December auto accident which claimed the life of 78-year-old Herman Hall,’ the SportsCenter host said on Wednesday night.
‘On Tuesday, State Police released video and records defending their initial findings, which alleged that Lacy’s operation of his vehicle created the chain of events that resulted in the crash that claimed Hall’s life. Lacy’s car is seen traveling at a high rate of speed in the wrong lane just prior to the incident.
‘Lacy faced several charges, including felony negligent homicide, but died by suicide days before a grand jury was set to convene — meaning his guilt or innocence will never be determined in a criminal court.
‘The one certainty here is that this was a senseless tragedy in December, magnified by a second life lost in April. I apologize for the incomplete reaction that aired on this show Monday night.’
Van Pelt’s apology comes after Monday’s SportsCenter segment, during which he and Clark discussed Ory’s allegations and echoed claims of Lacy’s innocence.
‘Kyren Lacy was supposed to be in the NFL. He was accused of something he didn’t do — and died carrying the guilt and consequences of a guilty man, knowing he was innocent,’ Clark said in an on-air emotional defense of Lacy.
‘It was later discovered he was 72 yards away from the crash, and that police tried to coerce and manipulate statements that would’ve put this young man behind bars.
‘They changed his joy, they changed his life — and eventually, he took his own.’
On Monday night, Ryan Clark echoed claims of Lacy’s innocence alongside Van Pelt
Lacy’s lawyer, Matt Ory, has steadfastly maintained his client’s innocence
Lacy, 24, was arrested on January 13 after an arrest warrant was issued by local police
Van Pelt punctuated Clark’s monologue to the camera with an ‘Amen.’
‘I can’t recall ever seeing something that made me react viscerally to the point that I felt like my hands were trembling,’ the anchor added. ‘There is video to show this is not what happened, and this young man took his life.’
However, subsequent released from Louisiana law enforcement have appeared to contradict the version of events put forward by Lacy’s attorney.
Louisiana State Police released a statement which read: ‘All evidence collected supports the conclusion that Lacy’s reckless operation of the green Charger into oncoming traffic triggered the chain of events involving the other drivers, ultimately resulting in the fatal crash.’
In the new footage, taken from CCTV cameras at a nearby gas station, Lacy’s green Charger is seen passing three cars – including a loaded 18-wheeler in a 40mph zone – on the wrong side of the road.
According to LSP, due to Lacy’s driving, a female driver was forced to swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid a collision but, tragically, crashed into 78-year-old Herman Hall, who later passed away.
The report notes that, ‘following the crash, Lacy drove around the crash scene and fled south’.
Furthermore, witnesses were also heard explaining how Lacy’s green Charger quickly weaved between the traffic and fled the scene shortly after the incident occurred.
In footage shared by Louisiana State Police following Ory’s claims, Lacy’s green Dodge Charger speeding in opposing traffic just before the crash
The Charger then aggressively braked before re-entering the southbound lane
Kyren Lacy, seen with his mother, died by suicide on April 12 following a police chase
Pat McAfee, another on-air ESPN talent, also repeated the details shared by Ory, suggesting Lacy’s innocence. He walked back those claims on Wednesday following the contradictory release from police.
On Saturday, April 12, one of Lacy’s family members called Harris County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office after Lacy allegedly had an argument with a family and fired a gun into the ground.
He fled the scene, leading officers to search for the Louisiana native. But, when cops identified the car he was driving and attempted a traffic stop, Lacy allegedly led them on a miles-long car chase that ended with another crash, this one in Spring, Texas.
Lacy was found dead in the driver’s seat, the victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police.
The wide receiver had led the Tigers with nine touchdowns the season prior and seemed assured of hearing his name called in this year’s NFL Draft.
