Former NBA and Atlanta Hawks star Mookie Blaylock’s condition was upgraded from critical to serious Saturday, a day after he was involved in a head-on collision in Clayton County that left a woman dead.
Blaylock, 46, was driving a Cadillac Escalade northbound on Tara Boulevard when, for unknown reasons, he crossed over the median and into a southbound lane around 1 p.m. and hit another vehicle, police said. Monica Murphy, 40, died at Atlanta Medical Center of her injuries Friday night. The other passenger in the second vehicle, Frankie Murphy, was not seriously injured, police said.
Blaylock’s condition was upgraded Saturday from critical to serious, Jonesboro police Chief Franklin Allen said.
Blaylock has been under treatment for seizures, a family member told police. It was not known whether that contributed to the wreck. Police said Blaylock had an outstanding warrant in Spalding County on DUI and drug charges for failing to appear in court. Investigators do not believe alcohol was a factor in the Friday wreck.
Blaylock, a point guard, played 13 seasons in the NBA, including with the Hawks from 1992 to 1999. A two-time, first-team pick to the NBA’s All-Defensive Team, Blaylock appeared in the 1994 All-Star game.
“We are saddened to hear of the accident today involving Mookie Blaylock and the Murphy family and the ensuing passing of Monica Murphy,” the Hawks organization said in statement released late Friday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all involved.”
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