Former Atlanta Hawks Player Mookie Blaylock Indicted for First-Degree Vehicular Homicide

Mookie Blaylock, 47, former star of the Atlanta Hawks, has been indicted by a Clayton County grand jury on fourteen charges, including vehicular homicide in the first degree, reckless driving, and serious injury by vehicle, to name a few.

Blaylock has been accused of causing a head-on collision back in May 2013 that killed a mother of five children and injured her husband.  He could face up to 33 years in prison if convicted.  He experienced serious injuries in the crash and was on life support for an amount of time, but recovered days later.  A family member had said that Blaylock had been receiving treatment for seizures at the time of the accident.  His attorney contends that seizures were the cause of the crash because Blaylock did not attempt to avoid hitting the other vehicle and his foot was “locked” on the gas pedal because of a possible blackout.  After leaving the hospital, Blaylock turned himself in and was released on a $250,000 bond.

Just weeks before last May's crash, Blaylock was arrested in Spalding County for DUI and hit-and-run.  He plead guilty to those charges earlier this year and was sentenced to thirty days in jail.  Three days after being released from jail in Spalding County, the Clayton County charges were upgraded due to “new evidence,” but there has been no evidence to suggest that Blaylock was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the fatal crash.  However, reckless driving is a predicate offense of vehicular homicide and serious injury by vehicle.  Blaylock played point guard for thirteen seasons in the NBA and with the Atlanta Hawks from 1992-1999.  He was a first-team pick twice to the NBA All-Defensive team and appeared in the 1994 All-Star game.

First degree vehicular homicide is a serious offense; as is any offense that results in the loss of a life.  A vehicle can be a deadly weapon if not operated carefully, and the “intent to kill,” unlike a murder charge, isn't required for a vehicular homicide charge.  First degree vehicular homicide is a felony and is punishable by 2 to 15 years in prison.  If one is determined to be a habitual violator, a mandatory minimum of 1 year has to be served in prison.

If you need to speak with an experienced lawyer regarding a charge of vehicular homicide, DUI, or any other Georgia traffic-related offense contact the Law Offices of Richard Lawson day or night.  Our legal experts are available to give you sound professional legal advice.  Don't wait.  Call now.