Ex-NBA player Rasual Butler, wife die in Los Angeles crash
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former NBA 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 had career averages of 7.5 points and 2.4 rebounds.
Butler’s death sent shockwaves through the NBA.
“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.”
Pat Riley statement on the passing of Rasual Butler
“This is beyond a sad day for the Miami HEAT Family. The loss of Rasual Butler and his wife, Leah, is devastating. Rasual was one of the greatest people we have ever had play for us; a great player, teammate and better person.”
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 31, 2018
Pat Riley statement on the passing of Rasual Butler (cont’d 3/3)
“Our compassion, empathy and hearts go out to their family and loved ones. We pray and know that with the grace, mercy and light of The Lord, Rasual and Leah will Rest In Peace.”
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 31, 2018
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.
Our entire organization is deeply saddened after learning of the death of former Pacers player Rasual Butler and his wife, Leah LaBelle. pic.twitter.com/ezdVkM12PG
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) January 31, 2018
Remembering Rasual before tonight’s game. pic.twitter.com/gHnf3nOaFl
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 1, 2018
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.”
The L.A. Clippers are deeply saddened by the loss of Rasual Butler and his wife, Leah LaBelle. Rasual 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. pic.twitter.com/Hti86knOXa
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 31, 2018
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!!”
Damn this one hurts! RIP Rasual Butler & his wife Leah. Sounds so cliche, but Rasual was really one of the good ones!!
— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) January 31, 2018
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.
