Former top prospect Julian Fleming facing felony charges in girlfriend’s death

Former Ohio State and Penn State wide receiver Julian Fleming is facing multiple felony charges related to an ATV crash that killed his girlfriend in May. The charges include homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence and aggravated assault by vehicle.

Fleming, whose full name is Julian Crushshon-Fleming, appeared in Bradford County court on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing. He was given a $75,000 bond that his family plans to pay, according to Fleming’s attorney, David Bahuriak.

Alyssa Boyd, 23, died on May 23 after an ATV driven by Fleming struck a deer in Columbia Township, Pa., according to the Pennsylvania State Police. A police report said Boyd and Fleming were not wearing safety equipment at the time of the crash. Fleming’s blood-alcohol level was also between .10 and .16 percent, according to court documents, above Pennsylvania’s legal limit of .08 percent.

“This was a tragic accident for everyone involved,” Bahuriak told The Athletic on Wednesday. “Our hearts go out to the family of the young woman, but there is no crime here.”

Fleming is a former five-star recruit from Catawissa, Pa., who 247Sports ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2020 recruiting class. After landing at Ohio State, Fleming struggled with injuries in his first two seasons. He had his best collegiate campaign as a junior in 2022, when he recorded 533 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

His play declined the following season, however, and he had just 270 receiving yards in 11 starts with the Buckeyes. Fleming transferred to Penn State in 2024 for his final collegiate season, where he made four starts and had 176 receiving yards on 14 catches.

The 24-year-old nearly signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in early May, but failed his physical.