Car Accident Kills Tackle Norwood : Football: Atlanta Falcons rookie is found dead after his auto plunged into a tree.

Atlanta Falcons rookie tackle Ralph Norwood was killed in a one-car automobile accident today.

Roger DeWitt, fatality investigator for the Gwinnett County Police Dept., said Norwood was found in his vehicle at 7:30 a.m. EST today 40 feet down a slight embankment on Satellite Blvd., about 1.5 miles north of the Gwinnett Place Mall shopping center.

DeWitt said Norwood, 23, had been traveling southbound, crossed into the oncoming lane, down the shoulder and into a tree. He said Norwood was the only occupant of the vehicle.

“We are deeply saddened at this tragedy,” Falcons Coach Marion Campbell said. “All our heartfelt sympathies go out to the entire Norwood family. We mourn the loss of this fine young man. All today’s meetings and practices have been canceled as a result of this terrible accident.”

Norwood, a 285-pound tackle from Louisiana State University, was the 38th player taken in the 1989 NFL draft. The Falcons selected him in the second round.

Norwood had seen action in all 11 Falcons games this season, starting in one.

Norwood’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Norwood, were en route to Atlanta. Funeral arrangements weren’t immediately announced.

DeWitt said an autopsy would be performed.