Report: Passanger dies in J.R. Smith accident

Jun 12, 2007 - 4:57 AM MILLSTONE, New Jersey (Ticker) -- A passenger in an automobile accident involving Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith died Monday night at an area hospital, according to a newspaper report.

The Asbury Park Press reported that Andre Bell, 21, of East Orange, died at about 6 p.m. Monday at Jersey Shore of head injuries, according to hospital officials. He had been in a coma, according to the report.

Smith remained hospitalized Monday in stable condition at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.

Bell was thrown from Smith's 2003 GMC Yukon when, according to State Police, Smith drove around a stopped car and through a stop sign.

Smith drove through the intersection and was struck by a westbound Jaguar, driven by Lynn Sinatra, 49, of Millstone, police said.



State Police have issued summonses to the Denver Nuggets' J.R. Smith, who was involved in a motor vehicle accident in a New Jersey township over the weekend, authorities said. One of his passengers died Monday at an area hospital, according to a report in the Asbury Park Press by Michelle Sahn.

Smith, 21, the Nuggets guard and former Lakewood High School basketball standout, was issued a ticket for running a stop sign. Smith remained hospitalized Monday in stable condition at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune.

One of his passengers, Andre Bell, 21, of East Orange, died at about 6 p.m. Monday at Jersey Shore of head injuries, according to hospital officials. He had been in a coma according to the report.

Nuggets spokesman Eric Sebastian said he did not know when Smith might be released.

"I think it's too early to say," Sebastian said. "From everything we hear, he's going to be OK."

Earlier today, Sebastian said he did not know if Smith would miss any training, but added, "We didn't hear anything that would indicate his career would be jeopardized in any way."

Around 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Smith, also known as Earl J. Smith III, drove a 2003 GMC Yukon around a stopped car and through a stop sign at the intersection of Stillhouse and Stagecoach roads, police said.

He drove through the intersection and was struck by a westbound Jaguar, driven by Lynn Sinatra, 49, of Millstone, police said.

The Yukon overturned, and both Smith and Bell were ejected, police said.

The investigating officer, Trooper Wayne Blanchard, issued summonses to Smith for failure to stop at a stop sign and improper passing, said Sgt. Stephen Jones, a State Police spokesman.

Smith was in stable condition today at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune with a shoulder injury and numerous abrasions and contusions, Jones said.

Bell had suffered severe head trauma, Jones said.

A third passenger, Carl Marshall of Chicago, was treated for lower back pain and released from CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township, Jones said.

Sinatra was treated at CentraState for a hip injury and released, police said.

The accident remains under investigation, Jones said.