Former NBA All-Star Mookie Blaylock has been charged with vehicular homicide stemming from a head-on crash in suburban Atlanta, authorities announced Monday. The 46-year-old former point guard 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. Monica Murphy, 46, died hours after experiencing the crash as a van passenger. Her husband, who was also in the van, was treated for an ankle injury 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 when first admitted to the hospital following the accident, but his condition has since 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 1999. He spent the majority of his career 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 spent the final years of his career with the Golden State Warriors.
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