The aunt of Atlanta Falcons stars and brothers A.J. and Avieon Terrell has tragically died at the age of 49 after her car was struck by a speeding vehicle in a supermarket parking lot.
Details of the Incident
Giselle Perry was waiting for her mother outside a Kroger store in Decatur, near Atlanta, at approximately 3:20 p.m. on Wednesday when another driver smashed into the side of her car. Footage broadcast by Atlanta News First shows a vehicle speeding down a row of parked cars 'like a missile' and crashing into Perry, who was seated in the driver's seat. The impact sent her car into a metal pole and onto the sidewalk.
Tyeisha Wilson, the daughter of the female driver who collided with Perry, has alleged that her mother 'blacked out' behind the wheel and had no awareness of her actions. The driver also sustained serious injuries. 'My mom blacked out while she was driving and she didn't even know what was happening,' Wilson told WSB-TV. 'I wanted to say my condolences and leave flowers for the woman.' In a message to Perry's family, she added: 'I'm really sorry about what happened to your aunt, mother and family member but I just wish things could have happened differently.'
Witness Accounts
Doderick Moore witnessed the crash and said he attempted to help Perry. However, when he checked her pulse, 'she was gone,' he stated. 'The woman came down here like a missile and knocked the car that way,' Moore added. 'Look at that pole. She knocked every brick off that pole in one lick.' Another witness remarked: 'We seen and heard the car coming and two seconds later, boom, a loud bang and all of us ran down there and checked it out and it was horrible.'
Recent NFL Draft Connection
This tragedy comes just weeks after the Falcons used their first pick in the NFL Draft to select Avieon Terrell, reuniting him with his older brother A.J. in the team's secondary. Avieon was the first pick for the Falcons' new leadership team, which includes president of football Matt Ryan, general manager Ian Cunningham, and coach Kevin Stefanski. The Falcons created 'bookend brothers' at cornerback by selecting the younger Terrell out of Clemson. A.J., who also played at Clemson, was Atlanta's first-round pick in 2020.
The brothers emotionally embraced at the family's draft party when the Falcons' second-round pick, No. 48 overall, was announced. 'I just feel blessed to be able to play on the field with my brother, my blood,' Avieon said. 'I feel good. It's something that I talked to him about. And here we go.' The Falcons called A.J. a few minutes before making the pick. 'I'm expecting little bro's phone to ring and my phone rang,' A.J. said. 'I was trying to hide my emotions.' Avieon replied: 'I knew it. I know my bro.' Even so, Avieon admitted 'my heart dropped' as soon as he saw he was drafted by Atlanta, his hometown. 'It meant the world to me to get that call.'
Social Media Tributes
A.J. posted pictures of his aunt on social media with a caption that read: 'I'm torn, heart is heavy, I love you.' Avieon also posted a video of his aunt celebrating a touchdown he scored while in high school with the caption: 'One of my biggest supporters.'
