LOS ANGELES — Former Washington Wizards forward Rasual Butler and his wife were killed in a single-vehicle rollover crash in Los Angeles early Wednesday.
The Range Rover crashed around 2:30 a.m. in the Studio City area and left a swath of damage along a major thoroughfare.
Los Angeles police said in a statement that Butler was speeding before his vehicle jumped a curb, hit three parking meters and a concrete wall and then flipped over twice. The vehicle came to rest inside a shopping mall parking lot.
Butler, 38, and Leah LaBelle Vladowski, 31, were pronounced dead at the scene, said Ed Winter, assistant chief investigator with the Los Angeles County coroner’s office. Autopsies were pending.
Butler was drafted in 2002 by the Miami Heat out of LaSalle University in his hometown of Philadelphia. He played for eight NBA teams during his 13-year career, including the Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs. He played in 75 games with the Wizards during the 2014-15 season.
He had career averages of 7.5 points and 2.4 rebounds. He averaged 7.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in his lone Wizards season.
Butler’s death sent shockwaves through the NBA, including his former Wizards organization and teammates.
“I will always remember the time we shared together as teammates, you were the big brother,” former teammate and Wizards guard John Wall said. “I appreciate the advice you shared, not just about basketball but life. Sending my deepest condolences to the families of Rasual and Leah. May you both rest in peace.”
The Wizards tweeted, “The Wizards organization sends our thoughts and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Rasual Butler and his wife, Leah. During his time with the Wizards and throughout his career, Rasual was a great teammate, a positive member of the community and a consummate professional. He will be remembered fondly and missed throughout the entire NBA family.”
“This is beyond a sad day for the Miami Heat Family,” team President Pat Riley said in a statement. “Rasual was one of the greatest people we have ever had play for us; a great player, teammate and better person.”
Indiana Pacers President Kevin Pritchard expressed a similar sentiment.
“In his one season with us, Rasual was the consummate team player and a great role model for our younger players on how a professional should prepare and act, while being a positive influence on everyone who associated with him,” he said.
The Clippers said Butler “will long be remembered not only for his accomplishments on the court, but for his vibrant personality, positive outlook and the compassion he had for everyone around him.”
He had two stints with the Clippers, in 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Minnesota guard and former Clipper Jamal Crawford tweeted, “Damn this one hurts! RIP Rasual Butler & his wife Leah. Sounds so cliche, but Rasual was really one of the good ones!!”
Butler last signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves in late 2016 and was waived that October.
Butler’s wife earned a measure of celebrity as an R&B singer. She placed 12th in the third Season of “American Idol” in 2004.
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