The brother of New York Knicks star Amare Stoudemire died in a car accident early Monday morning in Florida, a team spokesman confirmed to ESPN.
According to the report by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Hazell Stoudemire, 35, was killed when his 2007 Cadillac Escalade collided with the rear of a tractor trailer on Highway 27 in Lake Wales,FL.
The report added that Hazell was driving at a high rate of speed and was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Stoudemire, a resident of Lakeland, Fla., was declared dead at the scene of the accident. The other driver was unharmed. The highway patrol is continuing its investigation, and awaiting test results to determine whether alcohol was a factor.
Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni said that Amare Stoudemire is traveling to Florida to be with his family and will not be with the team for tonight’s game against the Jazz in New York.
“I know he’s very close to his brother so my heart’s out for him,” D’Antoni said after the team’s shootaround on Monday, adding, “He cherishes his family, he does a great job of maintaining all the relationships. Like I said, this is just a trying moment for him.”
The Knicks offered no date for when Amar’e Stoudemire would rejoin the team. After facing the Jazz on Monday, the team travels to Washington on Wednesday.
via ESPN
