Brother of Knicks star Stoudemire killed in Florida car wreck
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New York Knicks star Amar'e Stoudemire was mourning the death of his older brother Monday, who was killed in an early-morning car accident in Florida.
The Knicks confirmed that the forward took a leave of absence to fly to Florida to be with family after learning that Hazell Stoudemire had passed away.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Hazell Stoudemire was fatally injured after colliding at a "high rate of speed" with the rear of a tractor-trailer on Route 27 in Lake Wales, TMZ reported.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The 35 year old, who the officials said was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene.
Amar'e Stoudemire had been due to play the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.
His last public comments came late Sunday when he tweeted to congratulate the New York Giants on their victory in Super Bowl XLVI.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Congrats to the New York Giants!! The Empire State Building is Blue for your guys. Great Job," he wrote, while linking to a photo of the famous Manhattan landmark.
The Knicks offered no date for when Amar'e Stoudemire would rejoin the team. After facing the Jazz on Monday, the team travels to Washington on Wednesday.