Brother of NBA star killed in wreck

NBA power forward Amare Stoudemire had to take a leave of absence from his team in order to mourn the death of his brother, who was recently killed in a Florida car accident.

Investigators with the Florida Highway Patrol say the serious car accident occurred at around 1:42 a.m. as Stoudemire's 35-year-old brother was traveling along Route 27 at a "high rate of speed." The man's SUV reportedly collided with the back of a tractor-trailer. The victim died at the scene.

It is unclear exactly what caused the fatal crash, but police noted that the 35-year-old victim was not wearing a seat belt, which likely contributed to his death. Investigators are currently awaiting the results of a toxicology test, though they have not said whether they suspect drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

Upon hearing news of the crash, Stoudemire took an immediate leave of absence, missing several scheduled games. Following his first missed game, Stoudemire tweeted that he was proud of his team despite "going through hard times."

There are still numerous facts that need to be discovered before a ruling can be issued on who was responsible for the accident. Did the tractor-trailer stop suddenly? Was Stoudemire's brother following too closely? Were drugs or alcohol involved on the part of either driver? If the tractor-trailer driver was injured, he should consider consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney, who could help him decide whether or not he could make a claim for personal injury. Stoudemire's brother's family may also want to consult with an attorney.

Source: ESPN, "Amare Stoudemire's brother dies," Feb. 6, 2012