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The Harris County Medical Examiner's office has identified former Rockets power forward Eddie Griffin as the man who died when the SUV he was driving plowed into a moving train in southeast Houston last week.
Officials said Griffin, 25, drove his SUV through a railroad crossing barrier, past flashing warning lights and into a moving train in the 5300 block of Lawndale about 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 17.
The accident remains under investigation by Houston police.
Griffin's vehicle burst into flames on impact, burning his body so badly that investigators had to use dental records to confirm his identity Tuesday.
Griffin, whom the Rockets acquired for three first-round draft picks in 2001, faced off-court troubles throughout his NBA career. A power forward, he was released by the Rockets in 2003 after several run-ins with the law.
He spent time in the Betty Ford Center for alcoholism treatment in 2003-04.
He played briefly in New Jersey for the Nets before moving to Minnesota to play for the Timberwolves, who waived him in March.
``If this is true, then Eddie is free now,'' said former Rockets guard and NBA coach John Lucas, who worked with Griffin in Lucas' Houston-based substance rehabilitation program. ``I'm just sad. Just so sad.''
Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis said Griffin was trying hard to get his life back together after he left the Rockets.
"All the potential, all the dreams his family had for him for what his career would and could be, to see it end like this is just tragic," Luis said. "He was a very quiet, introverted kid. But you could tell there was a current of trouble underneath the surface with him. It's a shame.''
Griffin had ``all the ability in the world,'' but his talent and youth was wasted, said Keith Jones, the Rockets trainer and vice president of basketball operations.
"I don't think Eddie was bad people," Jones said. ''Some people are just troubled. Eddie had his share of troubles. ... He had some issues he couldn't get through."
Chosen as the seventh overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft, Griffin averaged 8.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game during his first two seasons with the Rockets.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
``Eddie was like a manchild. He was a wonderful, gentle soul, but he was an alcoholic. Alcohol always got in the way. The one thing the Rockets didn't know and none of us knew was the extent of the problem. It's really tragic,'' said Rusty Hardin, Griffin's attorney.
Griffin left college after one season with Seton Hall.
``I don't think he was prepared for that (the NBA) at 19. ... All the city got to know of him was that we gave up (three first-round picks) for this guy, and he isn't cutting it,'' said Hardin, a regular in the prime seats at Rockets games. ``That's true, but he had some demons going, and everybody knew that.''
Officials said Griffin, 25, drove his SUV through a railroad crossing barrier, past flashing warning lights and into a moving train in the 5300 block of Lawndale about 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 17.
The accident remains under investigation by Houston police.
Griffin's vehicle burst into flames on impact, burning his body so badly that investigators had to use dental records to confirm his identity Tuesday.
Griffin, whom the Rockets acquired for three first-round draft picks in 2001, faced off-court troubles throughout his NBA career. A power forward, he was released by the Rockets in 2003 after several run-ins with the law.
He spent time in the Betty Ford Center for alcoholism treatment in 2003-04.
He played briefly in New Jersey for the Nets before moving to Minnesota to play for the Timberwolves, who waived him in March.
``If this is true, then Eddie is free now,'' said former Rockets guard and NBA coach John Lucas, who worked with Griffin in Lucas' Houston-based substance rehabilitation program. ``I'm just sad. Just so sad.''
Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis said Griffin was trying hard to get his life back together after he left the Rockets.
"All the potential, all the dreams his family had for him for what his career would and could be, to see it end like this is just tragic," Luis said. "He was a very quiet, introverted kid. But you could tell there was a current of trouble underneath the surface with him. It's a shame.''
Griffin had ``all the ability in the world,'' but his talent and youth was wasted, said Keith Jones, the Rockets trainer and vice president of basketball operations.
"I don't think Eddie was bad people," Jones said. ''Some people are just troubled. Eddie had his share of troubles. ... He had some issues he couldn't get through."
Chosen as the seventh overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft, Griffin averaged 8.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game during his first two seasons with the Rockets.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
``Eddie was like a manchild. He was a wonderful, gentle soul, but he was an alcoholic. Alcohol always got in the way. The one thing the Rockets didn't know and none of us knew was the extent of the problem. It's really tragic,'' said Rusty Hardin, Griffin's attorney.
Griffin left college after one season with Seton Hall.
``I don't think he was prepared for that (the NBA) at 19. ... All the city got to know of him was that we gave up (three first-round picks) for this guy, and he isn't cutting it,'' said Hardin, a regular in the prime seats at Rockets games. ``That's true, but he had some demons going, and everybody knew that.''
