Former NBA star Rasual Butler and his wife were killed Wednesday in a rollover crash in Studio City.
The solo vehicle crash was reported around 2:30 a.m. on Ventura Boulevard near Arch Drive, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Butler, 38, of Studio City died at the scene, said coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter.
The coroner’s office withheld the name of the fatally injured woman, citing the need to notify her next-of-kin. But two of Butler’s former teams issued condolence statements naming her as Butler’s wife, singer Leah LaBelle, who appeared on the third season of “American Idol” in 2004.
According to police, Butler lost control of his Range Rover, which struck a parking meter, slammed into a wall and rolled over. Police said the driver was likely speeding, judging by the debris at the crash site.
Ventura Boulevard, from Vineland to Tujunga avenues, was closed for several hours while an investigation was conducted.
Butler, who was drafted by the Miami Heat in 2002, had a long NBA career, playing for several teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers. He retired in 2016.
The Clippers’ statement 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 Heat statement said the team was ” deeply saddened by the passing of Rasual Butler and his wife, Leah LaBelle. Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to the family and many friends of Rasual and Leah. They will be missed.”
—City News Service