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Lacey Dawkins, the older sister of Duke freshman basketball player Andre Dawkins, died in an automobile accident Saturday in West Virginia on her way to see her brother play.
The siblings' biological mother, Tamara Hill, was injured in the accident. Hill's condition was not made available.
The two were on their way from Columbus, Ohio, where Lacey Dawkins lived, to see Dawkins and the Blue Devils play St. John's on Saturday afternoon. Lacey Dawkins was 21 years old.
According to WVNS-TV in West Virginia, the accident occurred on Interstate 77 in the town of Pax, about 15 miles north of Beckley and about 250 miles northwest of Durham.
The accident involved three other vehicles. The television station reported that rescue personnel had to use the Jaws of Life to get Dawkins and Hill out of the vehicle and that at least two passengers from the other vehicles were transported to area hospitals.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Andre's sister, Lacey," Duke coach Mike Krzyzew-ski said in a statement released by the school. "Andre is a terrific young man, and his family is very important to him. Our thoughts and prayers go out the entire Dawkins family during this trying time."
Dawkins has returned home to deal with the tragedy, according Duke associate sports information director Matt Plizga. Dawkins is from the Tidewater region of Virginia. He graduated a year ahead of schedule from Atlantic Shores Christian School in Chesapeake, Va., in order to enroll at Duke.
Dawkins was raised by his father, also named Andre, and his stepmother Pamela Dawkins, whom Dawkins lists as his mother in Duke's media guide.
In addition to Dawkins' older sister, he has three younger siblings: brothers Caleb and Jalon and sister Naomi.
Dawkins came off the bench and played 21 minutes against St. John's, scoring two points. Through Duke's first eight games, Dawkins is averaging 9.9 points per game and has hit 51.3 percent of his 3-pointers.
Duke students currently are taking fall semester exams, and the Blue Devils' next game is Dec. 15 against Gardner-Webb.
