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Brother Of Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire Dies In Florida Car Crash

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- The troubled brother of Knicks star Amar'e Stoudemire has died in a Florida car wreck.

Hazell Stoudemire perished early Monday morning after crashing on Route 27 in Lake Wales.

Authorities are still investigating and awaiting test results to find out if alcohol was a factor. The Florida Highway Patrol said the 35-year-old was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene.

According to TMZ, Stoudemire hit a tractor trailer from behind at a "high rate of speed."

Amare Stoudemire returned to Florida to be with his family and was to miss Monday night's game against Utah. Knicks spokesman Jonathan Supranowitz said he doesn't know how long Stoudemire will be away.

"Our thoughts and prayers and everything's with him, and whatever time he needs to take, he'll take, and then we'll get him back as soon as possible," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said after the team's morning workout in Greenburgh, N.Y.

A registered sex offender stemming from a 1999 conviction, Hazell Stoudemire was acquitted in 2009 of raping and beating an ex-girlfriend. He was also charged with battering a pregnant woman in 2010. The charges were later dropped.

Hazell, who lived in Lakeland, Fla., was one of Amare's four brothers. The Knicks forward also has three sisters. D'Antoni said Stoudemire "cherishes his family and he does a great job of maintaining all relationships."

Jared Jeffries will replace Stoudemire in the lineup.

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(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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