Sports fans in Georgia may have heard about the wreck involving a former Atlanta Hawks player and a couple near the intersection of Tara Avenue and North Boulevard in Jonesboro. According to police, the former Hawk crossed the median of Tara Avenue at around 1:15 p.m. and collided head-on with the other vehicle. The car crash resulted in injuries to the two drivers and the death of a third occupant.
The 13-year veteran of the Atlanta Hawks was driving a Cadillac Escalade, which was seen in video footage of the car crash to be severely damaged by the impact. The other vehicle was a van. The van’s driver was treated for a broken ankle. The 41-year-old passenger of the van was rushed by air to Atlanta Medical Center for surgery, and she later died. The driver of the Escalade was listed in fair condition by the Atlanta Medical Center.
Police have so far charged the former Hawk with failure to maintain lane and driving on a suspended license, but the car crash is still under investigation and may result in further charges. The chief of the Jonesboro police stated that the Hawk veteran also faces a bench warrant for drug charges and a DUI in Spalding County. Police performed toxicology tests on the man, but results are not expected for at least six weeks.
The victims in this case must face the loss of a loved one along with medical expenses, funeral costs, lost wages and emotional pain and suffering. Regardless of any criminal charges resulting from the driver’s negligence, the injured driver of the van and other family of the deceased may be able to receive compensation for their damages with a personal injury and wrongful death claim against the driver.
Source: CBS Atlanta, “Woman dead after head-on crash with former Hawk Mookie Blaylock”, Mandi Milligan, May 31, 2013
