Tragic Turn for College Football Star Julian Fleming
Former Ohio State wide receiver Julian Fleming is facing multiple serious criminal charges, including homicide by vehicle, following a fatal ATV crash that claimed the life of his girlfriend, Alyssa Boyd, in May.
According to the Pennsylvania state police, the 23-year-old Boyd died from extensive injuries sustained in the crash, which occurred on a rural road near the New York state line. Fleming, 24, was reportedly driving the Yamaha quad when a deer suddenly ran into the roadway, causing the accident.
Harsh Charges, Says Attorney
Fleming is now charged with several felonies:
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Homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence (DUI)
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Homicide by vehicle
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Aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI
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Aggravated assault by vehicle
He also faces a misdemeanor DUI charge.
His attorney, David Bahuriak, told the Daily Mail that the charges were “harsh” and “not supported by the facts,” emphasizing that the incident was a tragic accident rather than a crime.
“Our hearts go out to this young lady and her family,” Bahuriak said. “It’s unfortunate that the government has decided to put them—and Julian’s family—through such an ordeal when they should know the facts do not support a homicide charge here.”
He continued,
“The charges are not only harsh but they are also not supported by the facts in this case. And we intend to prove that. This is a sad and tragic accident. Nothing more, nothing less. This is not a homicide.”
Bahuriak further criticized the legal process, suggesting Fleming has already suffered immense emotional pain.
“He’s being treated incredibly unfairly. What’s the purpose here? He’s already felt an indescribable amount of pain and loss. I can only imagine what the victim’s family has endured. But this is not a crime. This was unavoidable. They have evidence showing his ATV struck a deer that ran into the roadway. Alcohol’s got nothing to do with this accident.”
Details From the Investigation
Court documents reveal that Fleming is being held in a county jail and is “unable to post bail,” which has been set at $75,000. Reports indicate that his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .118 shortly after the crash—above the legal limit.
Authorities also confirmed that neither Fleming nor Boyd was wearing a helmet during the crash. Fleming reportedly suffered serious injuries and was taken to Guthrie Troy Community Hospital for treatment.
From College Stardom to Legal Turmoil
Julian Fleming’s football career had shown great promise. He played for the Penn State Nittany Lions in 2024, after transferring from Ohio State, where he spent three seasons with the Buckeyes.
After declaring for the NFL Draft, Fleming went undrafted but was later signed as a free agent by the Green Bay Packers. However, his contract was rescinded after he failed a physical, marking a sharp turn from what once looked like a promising professional future.
Conclusion
As Fleming awaits his preliminary hearing on October 22, his future both on and off the field remains uncertain. His legal team continues to argue that the tragedy was an unavoidable accident, not a crime, while the prosecution insists otherwise.
The outcome of this case could have lasting implications for DUI-related vehicular homicide laws and how such cases are handled when tragedy strikes high-profile athletes.
