Gwinnett hoops player, 3 family members killed in wreck

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By Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Gwinnett County high school basketball player was among four family members killed in a wreck that also injured four others early Saturday in Florida.

Facebook via Norcross High School Darrian George lost control of the Chevrolet Tahoe on I-75, the Florida Highway Patrol told the Star-Banner Newspaper in Ocala, Fla.

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The family was headed to Miami for the weekend when the 17-year-old driver, Darrian George, lost control of the Chevrolet Tahoe on I-75 near Ocala, Fla., the Florida Highway Patrol said. The 2002 SUV traveled across several southbound lanes of the interstate, then overturned several times and landed on its roof in a northbound lane, according to a report from the FHP.

Six of the eight people inside the SUV were ejected in the single-vehicle wreck, which happened just before 3 a.m. George, a member of the Norcross High School basketball team, and his stepmother, Tiffany Bradshaw, 30, both died at the scene, according to police.

A 7-year-old and a 3-year-old both died after being transported to Shands at the University of Florida hospital.

George's father, Kurt George, 39, and another family member, Jacquine Barow, suffered minor injuries. Erica Morris, 51, identified as Kurt George's mother-in-law, was in critical condition at Shands. Jaid Mandosa, 11, was in good condition Monday, a hospital spokesperson said.

Of the eight people in the SUV, only the father, Kurt George, was wearing a seat belt, police said. Investigators do not believe speed was a factor.

The Norcross High School basketball team released the following statement Saturday night on Facebook and Twitter: "We lost a wonderful young man last night. Even though he had only been with us for a few short weeks it seemed like he had been here forever. Rest in peace Darrian George. You were an unbelievably talented basketball player but an even better person. You will be greatly, greatly missed. Hold it down on Heaven's courts until we see you again."

Darrian George transferred to Norcross High School from Charleston, S.C., for the current school year, according to the Norcross team's website. George, enrolled in honors and Advanced Placement classes, had already received offers for college basketball scholarships, a coach posted on the site. He previously played for Fort Dorchester High School.

Gwinnett County schools will be closed Monday for the Columbus Day holiday.