Rasual Butler, former NBA Wizards player, and wife Leah LaBelle killed in Los Angeles car crash
Police are investigating the crash, and say they believe the car was speeding at the time of the incident
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Your support makes all the difference.Former Washington Wizards player Rasual Butler has been killed in a car accident alongside his wife, Leah Labelle, in Los Angeles, according to reports.
The crash occurred early in the morning on Wednesday, and police were first contacted at about 2:30 a.m. The LA County Coroner's office confirmed Butler's death to local media, and numerous news outlets reported Labelle's death.
Police have said that the car was travelling at speeds up to two or three times that of the limit when it crashed into a shopping plaza in Studio City.
The vehicle reportedly first hit a curb before crash-landing in the plaza. Officials say they are still investigating the cause of the accident.
The 38-year-old Butler played for the Washington Wizards between 2014 and 2015, and averaged 7.7 points per game.
Before the Wizards, he played for the San Antonio Spurs, the Chicago Bulls, the LA Clipps, and other teams.
LaBelle was an R&B singer who once appeared on the 3rd season of "American Idol". She placed 12th during that season, which aired in 2004.
Tributes to the two were quickly posted on social media by those who knew the couple, painting a picture of heartbreak for the beloved couple.
The tributes came from individuals in teams across the NBA, and included current and former players, as well as entire teams.
They included messages of sorrow from former players and greats including Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Allen Iverson, as well as contemporary players like Kevin Love and Dwayne Wade.
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