The aunt and uncle of San Francisco 49ers tight end Delanie Walker were killed in a car accident involving a suspected drunk driver in Louisiana early Monday morning after they watched their nephew play against the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII.
"Alice and Bryan Young my aunt and uncle was killed on Monday at 5 am after the super bowl by a drunk," Walker posted to his Twitter account Wednesday. "Im going to miss y'all but i know they are in a better place."
Niners CEO Jed York tweeted Wednesday that Walker is in the 49ers organization's thoughts and prayers. "We are praying for you and and your family," York said.
Trent Baalke, the general manager of the 49ers, also issued a statement of condolence: "We extend our deepest sympathies and prayers to Delanie and his family as they grieve this tragedy. Our organization is here to support Delanie through this tough time, as we do with all of our players and staff. At this time, we will respect their family's privacy and ask others to do so as well."
A press release from the Louisiana State Police said troopers responded to the scene of a two-vehicle accident shortly after 5:30 a.m. Monday on I-10 in St. Charles Parish, La. Police said Nechole Thomas, a 26-year-old Houston resident, was driving a Mercedes C230 "at a high rate of speed" when she smashed into the rear of a Nissan Altima stopped on the shoulder.
Both vehicles caught on fire, and after the fire was extinguished the two occupants in the Altima -- Walker's aunt and uncle -- were pronounced dead on the scene.
Thomas, who suffered minor injuries in the crash, is facing two counts of vehicular homicide, DWI and reckless operation, according to police. Toxicology tests to determine whether she was intoxicated are pending at Louisiana State Police Crime Lab.
Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.
