Ex-football star charged months after girlfriend was killed in horrific ATV-deer crash

What began as a quiet evening in rural Pennsylvania in late May ended in tragedy, leaving one young woman dead and a former college football standout facing serious criminal charges.

Months after the fatal crash, authorities have charged Julian Fleming — once a top wide receiver for both Ohio State and Penn State — in connection with the death of his girlfriend, 23-year-old Alyssa Boyd.

The pair was riding together on an ATV through Columbia Township, around 20 miles south of Elmira, New York, when disaster struck. According to police, a deer suddenly ran into the roadway, causing the vehicle to crash.

Boyd was pronounced dead at the scene, while Fleming sustained serious injuries and was treated in hospital. Investigators said neither of them had been wearing protective gear at the time of the collision.

The former Ohio State wide receiver faces charges months after girlfriend’s death (Alyssa Boydd/Instagram)

On Wednesday, October 8, Fleming surrendered himself to the Pennsylvania State Police, as reported by NBC. He now faces charges including homicide by motor vehicle, DUI, and multiple related offenses. Court filings allege his blood-alcohol level was between 0.10 and 0.16 percent — exceeding the state’s legal limit of 0.08.

Fleming’s defense attorney, David Bahuriak, maintains that the crash was a terrible accident rather than a criminal act. He told The New York Times: “This was a tragic accident for everyone involved”.

“Our hearts go out to the family of the young woman, but there is no crime here.”

Speaking separately to NBC News, Bahuriak said: “A deer ran into the roadway. They were both knocked unconscious. When he came to, she wasn’t breathing. He was traumatized.”

He further argued that the incident was ‘unavoidable’, adding: “Regardless of whether there was alcohol involved or there wasn’t alcohol involved, this was an unavoidable event. He hasn’t done anything wrong. He hadn’t operated [the ATV] in unlawful manner. He hadn’t done anything wrong when this deer ran into the roadway.”

Fleming had the last year of his five-year career prior to the crash playing football at Penn State (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Fleming, who was released on a $75,000 bond, had only recently completed a five-year college football career. After four seasons at Ohio State, he transferred to Penn State for his final year of eligibility. His strongest performance came in 2022, when he recorded 34 receptions for 533 yards and six touchdowns.

The 24-year-old Catawissa native went undrafted but had continued training in hopes of securing a place in the NFL. Now, his focus has shifted from football dreams to facing the legal consequences of a crash that has left lasting heartbreak for all involved.