JONESBORO, GA. (AP) - Former NBA All-Star Daron “Mookie” Blaylock has been charged with vehicular homicide arising from a head-on crash in suburban Atlanta, authorities announced Monday.
Blaylock, 46, is also charged with driving on a suspended license and failure to maintain his lane in the Friday crash, Jonesboro Police Chief Franklin Allen said.
Blaylock was driving an SUV that crossed the center line of Tara Boulevard _ about 20 miles south of downtown Atlanta _ and struck a van, police said. A van passenger, 43-year-old Monica Murphy, died hours later. Her husband, who was also in the van, was treated and released at a hospital.
Blaylock was also wanted in Spalding County on charges of failure to appear in court, DUI and drug possession, Allen said.
Atlanta Medical Center spokeswoman Nicole Gustin said Blaylock was in fair condition Monday. He initially was on life support at the hospital, but his condition was upgraded.
Allen said police are working to determine the cause of the crash and that alcohol doesn’t appear to be a factor. Authorities were working to gather documents on Blaylock’s medical history Monday. Blaylock told investigators he blacked out just before the wreck but wasn’t able to say much more, Allen said. It’s unclear if he has an attorney.
Blaylock was a first-round draft pick by the New Jersey Nets out of Oklahoma in 1989.
He played as a guard for the Atlanta Hawks between 1992 and 1999 and played in the 1994 NBA All-Star game. He had his best season in 1996-97, averaging 17.4 points and 5.9 assists. Blaylock also played for the Golden State Warriors.
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