A promising football career has been overshadowed by tragedy and legal peril for Julian Fleming, the former Ohio State and Penn State wide receiver now at the center of a high-profile criminal case in Pennsylvania. Fleming, once a five-star recruit and Pennsylvania’s all-time leader in receiving yards, is facing nine criminal charges—including homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence—after a May ATV crash that killed his girlfriend, Alyssa Boyd.
The Crash and Its Aftermath
On the evening of May 23, 2025, Fleming was driving a Yamaha ATV with Boyd as his passenger on a back road near the New York-Pennsylvania border. According to Pennsylvania State Police and court documents, a deer suddenly ran into the road, causing Fleming to lose control. The ATV flipped, ejecting both riders. Boyd, 23, died at the scene from multiple traumatic injuries. Fleming, 24, was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries but was released the following day.
Investigators noted that neither Fleming nor Boyd was wearing a helmet. Blood tests taken at the hospital revealed Fleming’s blood-alcohol level was 0.118—well above Pennsylvania’s legal limit of 0.08—leading prosecutors to file charges including homicide by vehicle while DUI and aggravated assault by vehicle.
Legal Proceedings and Defense
Fleming turned himself in to state police on October 7, 2025, and is currently being held in Bradford County Jail on
$75,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 22. His attorney, David Bahuriak, has called the charges “harsh” and “not supported by the facts,” arguing that the crash was a “heartbreaking accident” caused by a deer and that alcohol was not a factor in the collision. However, court filings reviewed by CBS News and Sports Illustrated confirm the elevated blood-alcohol reading.
A Football Career Derailed
Fleming’s journey from blue-chip recruit to NFL hopeful has been marked by both promise and setbacks. After a standout high school career, he spent three seasons at Ohio State, battling injuries but showing flashes of brilliance, including a 533-yard, six-touchdown season in 2022. He transferred to Penn State for the 2024 season, catching 14 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown.
Despite going undrafted, Fleming briefly signed with the Green Bay Packers as a free agent this spring. That opportunity evaporated when he failed his physical due to a history of back and hip injuries, leaving him a free agent once again. At the time of the crash, he was reportedly in talks with several NFL teams about attending rookie minicamps, hoping to revive his professional prospects.
Community Reaction and Personal Tragedy
The death of Alyssa Boyd sent shockwaves through her community. A University of Alabama graduate, Boyd was remembered by friends and family as “fearless” and “full of life,” with social media tributes describing her as someone who “brought sunshine wherever she went”. The case has drawn significant media attention, not only for the severity of the charges but also for the stark contrast between Fleming’s athletic potential and his current legal predicament.
What Comes Next?
Fleming’s future, both on and off the field, now hangs in the balance. If convicted, he could face years in prison, effectively ending any chance of an NFL career. The case also raises broader questions about athlete conduct, the risks of off-field behavior, and the consequences of impaired driving—a topic that has touched many communities and sports figures in recent years.
For now, all eyes are on the Bradford County courthouse, where a preliminary hearing later this month will determine whether the case proceeds to trial. Regardless of the outcome, the tragedy has already altered the trajectories of two young lives—one ended far too soon, the other facing an uncertain and potentially life-altering legal battle.
Takeaways
-
Julian Fleming, former Ohio State and Penn State wide receiver, is charged with homicide by vehicle while DUI after a fatal ATV crash that killed his girlfriend, Alyssa Boyd.
-
Fleming’s blood-alcohol level was reportedly 0.118 at the time of the crash; neither he nor Boyd was wearing a helmet.
-
Fleming’s NFL aspirations were already in doubt after failing a physical with the Green Bay Packers due to injury concerns.
-
The case highlights the devastating consequences of impaired driving and the fragility of even the most promising athletic careers.
Sources
1. Julian Fleming NFL Stats & News
2. Column: Has Ohio State wide receiver Julian Fleming finally arrived?
3. College football star Julian Fleming faces homicide charge in girlfriend's death
4. Former OSU, Penn State WR Julian Fleming charged with homicide by vehicle while DUI
5. Julian Fleming Injured in ATV Crash That Killed Passenger । USA TODAY NEWS
6. Julian Fleming: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights | Yardbarker
7. 2025 SENIOR HIGHLIGHTS: WR Julian Fleming | Penn State Football
8. Julian Fleming: News and Updates | TMZ
9. Uncover the Truth: What Happened to Julian Fleming & Alyssa Boyd?
10. Julian Fleming News, Rumors, Updates - Penn State Nittany Lions
11. From #1 RECRUIT in the COUNTRY To BUST at TWO Schools (What Happened to Julian Fleming?)
