Former Minnesota Timberwolves forward Eddie Griffin pased away last week as he crashed with his sport utility vehicle in a freight train in Houstonat at roughly 1:30 a.m. CT last Friday, the Harris County medical examiner's office said Tuesday.

According to a Houston police report, he  was driving a Nissan SUV when he disregarded a railroad warning signal, drove through the railroad arm and struck the side of a Union Pacific train about 1:30 a.m. Friday. The SUV caught fire as the train stopped.

Griffin was alone in his car. He was not named on the original accident report because the authorities needed time to identify the body.  Investigators had to use dental records to identify his body. 

Griffin had alcohol problems, he was suspended by the NBA for five games in January for violating its anti-drug program

Former Wolves coach Dwane Casey described Griffin as a "beautiful person and gentle giant," but also aknoledged that he had feared something bad might happen to Griffin because of his personal issues.

The 25-year-old  began his profesional career with the Houston Rockets in 2001. He was waived by the Timberwolves in March. The five-year veteran was the No. 7 pick in the 2001 NBA draft.

Griffin averaged 7.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 22.2 minutes in 303 games (117 starts) over five NBA seasons for the Rockets and Timberwolves.

He posted 18 points, 25 rebounds and seven blocked shots in 13 games with Minnesota last season.