Eddie Griffin, former Wolf, dies in fiery SUV-train collision in Texas
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The lights are dark at Target Center tonight for more reasons than saving on the electric bill. Five-year NBA veteran and longtime Timberwolf forward Eddie Griffin died last Friday when the SUV he was driving collided with a freight train in a fiery crash in Texas, according to reports breaking across the Web and wire services.
Griffin, only 25, was identified by dental records; he remains were too badly damaged to be identified any sooner, according to reports out of the Harris County Medical Examiner's office Tuesday. Griffin began his career with the Houston Rockets in 2001 and spent most of his pro career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who waived him last March after Griffin battled alcoholism and kept running afoul of the NBA's substance abuse program.
Griffin's college career was spent in Seton Hall and he was the number seven overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Rockets and also spent time in New Jersey his first two seasons. Griffin signed a free agent contract with the Wolves prior to the 2004-05 season and spend time rebounding and shot-blocking in backup roles at both forward spots and center. However, he played only 17 games for the Wolves last season before being suspended for five games following another run-in with the league's substance abuse policy.
The Wolves did not immediately dismiss Griffin, but he did not play for the team after that, prior to his March release.
The SUV-train incident occurred at 1:30 a.m. last Friday and initial reports could not identify the victim. The driver, who is now identified as Griffin, ignored a railroad warning and went through a barrier before striking the moving train, according to Houston Police.
This report was assembled from numerous online sources.
