HOUSTON, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Former NBA player Eddie Griffin was the unidentified driver of the SUV killed near Houston last Friday when the vehicle collided with a freight train.
His identity was revealed Tuesday by the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office.
The identity was confirmed after an exhaustive search by investigators of dental records on the badly charred body.
The 6-foot-10 forward began his pro career with the Houston Rockets after he was the seventh overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft out of Seton Hall.
The troubled Griffin struggled with alcohol problems throughout his five-year NBA career, and was suspended for five games last January for violating the anti-drug program.
He also played for New Jersey and Minnesota, which waived him in March.
"The entire Minnesota Timberwolves organization is deeply saddened by this tragic news," Minnesota's Timberwolves VP of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale said.
Griffin averaged 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds in 303 NBA games.
