ATLANTA — A former NBA player says his heart goes out to Chandler Parsons, an Atlanta Hawks player who was injured during a collision with a suspected drunk driver Wednesday.
Josh Powell played with Parsons in Houston and hopes the car crash doesn’t end his injury-riddled career.
“That’s pretty serious and pretty significant, man,” Powell said.
Powell said he can't imagine what his former teammate is going through.
Parsons’ attorney said his injuries could end his career.
“It’s tough, man. I just hope he’s able to overcome that,” Powell said.
Parsons was leaving practice around 2 p.m. when police said a driver identified as Wesley Olson made a left turn onto Buford Highway at North Druid Hills, colliding with Parsons' Rolls Royce and another car.
An officer saw the collision.
Police said Olson showed all the signs of intoxication.
“Bloodshot, watery eyes, the odor of alcoholic beverage about his breath and person. I understand there was an admission of drinking,” said Sgt. David Snively, with the Brookhaven Police Department.
Police said Olson had a 7 Up bottle that contained alcohol in his car.
Channel 2’s Tom Jones went to Olson’s home to get his side of the story. No one answered.
Parson's attorney said he suffered a traumatic brain injury, a herniated disc and a torn labrum.
He's had a host of injuries during his career.
Powell said it wouldn't be right for something that happened off the court to prevent parsons from playing again.
“I just pray for him. I hope he can keep his head up,” Powell said.
Olson faces charges of DUI less safe and failure to yield.
There is no mugshot for Olson yet since he was taken to a hospital after the crash, instead of being booked in the jail.
Police said Parsons was assessed by medical personnel at the scene but wasn’t taken to a hospital.