Former NBA player Rasual Butler, his wife Leah LaBelle, die in car crash

This is depressing.

Former NBA player Rasual Butler reportedly lost control of his car at 2 a.m. Wednesday morning in the Studio City area of Los Angeles, the car flipped and hit a wall, and he and his wife — R&B singer Leah LaBelle, who many may remember from American Idol in 2004 — died in the accident. NBC Los Angeles has the details and confirmed the information with the Los Angeles County Coroner.

Police received a call at about 2:30 a.m. of a car into a building on the 11000 block of Ventura Boulevard. The vehicle was traveling at speeds two to three times higher than the limit, according to police.

The vehicle struck a curb and tumbled over until it crash-landed in the plaza.

Butler was just 38 years old.

The NBA world is stunned at the loss.

Come on man. Damn. The world just lost a great dude. RIP Rasual “Bop” Butler! https://t.co/tufRq2H3AI

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 31, 2018

I can stop crying right now. RIP Rasual and Leah. I was just with you both a few days ago. Such beautiful people. Life is so precious. 😢

— Roger Mason Jr (@MoneyMase) January 31, 2018

I’m shocked, saddened and in disbelief about the news on my friend Rasual Butler and his wife Leah. May God be with their families. We will miss you ‘Sul..🙏🏾

— Chauncey Billups (@1MrBigShot) January 31, 2018

Very sad day for me, Rasual was not only a great teammate but great guy in this league. My prayers and condolences go out to their families.
RIP 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/ZdcDPBcHIG

— Eric Gordon (@TheofficialEG10) January 31, 2018

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

Butler was a playground legend in Philly where he grew up, then he played four years at LaSalle University. He was drafted in the second round by the Miami Heat back in 2004, went on to play 13 NBA seasons (for the Heat, Hornets, Clippers, Bulls, Raptors, Wizards, Pacers, and most recently in 2015-16 for the Spurs) as a swingman who could defend, hit threes, play within the system and be solid every night. Every team could use a guy or three like Butler on the roster. Last season he played in Ice Cube’s Big3 league. He was trusted by coaches, liked in the locker room, and, at least in my interactions with him, was a smart and professional guy with the media.

Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this tragic loss.