LaDainian's dad killed in car wreck

LT's dad was killed and his step-brother was injured in a wreck today near Waco.

DPS: LaDainian Tomlinson's dad killed in accident

From the Waco Tribune-Herald

Friday, February 23, 2007

By Emily Ingram

Tribune-Herald staff writer

Oliver Tomlinson, 71-year-old father of San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, was killed in a one-vehicle wreck just east of Waco this afternoon.

Ronald McClain, 49, believed to be the brother of LaDainian Tomlinson, was rushed by ambulance to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center where he was reportedly in serious to critical condition.

DPS spokesman Charlie Morgan said LaDainian Tomlinson, a former University High athlete, had been notified about the one-vehicle rollover and his father’s death and was returning home.

Jewel Tomlinson, Oliver’s wife and LaDainian’s step-mother, told the Tribune-Herald that her husband and McClain had been returning to Waco after a trip home to the family home in Tomlinson Hill. Oliver had been staying in Waco recently, she said, while recovering from an illness.

The men were in the late-model blue pickup truck when it was involved in the accident at the intersection of South Farm-to-Market Road 434 and Farm to Market 2643, east of Waco near the tiny community of Asa, the DPS said. The truck flipped and was resting on its side on the county’s gravel storage area near the road.

The accident occurred at 1:30 p.m. when the vehicle, travelling north on FM 434, swerved right, going off the road. Witnesses reported that a tire on the truck blew out while the vehicle was traveling at about 55 mph, causing it to swerve out of control.

The driver, McClain, reportedly over-corrected, causing the vehicle to swerve off the road to the left. The vehicle then flipped, landing on the gravel mound. Both McClain and Tomlinson were ejected from the vehicle.

Justice of the Peace Kristi DeCluitt pronounced Tomlinson dead on the scene at 1:32 p.m. She ordered the body to be sent for an autopsy.

State troopers continue to work the accident scene.

Updates will be posted as they become available.

 

Shocking. I read the write-up about his dad and how the elder Tomlinson refused to give up the surname even despite its connection to slavery (I think it was in ESPN The Magazine a few weeks back) and it was a great read.

Farewell, guys.

 

how terrible. the step-brother was driving, according to the story. what a hell he must be going through.

rip, mr.. tomlinson. :'(

 

AP now reporting the driver, Ronald McClain, also has died.

 

Damn.
That's awful.

 

Two immediate family members gone in the same day. Holy shit. RIP.

 

RIP and best wishes to LT and his family.

 

Richard Pryor once joked that death getting two for one was a good day. I feel for the Tomlinson clan at this moment.