Nuggets guard Smith, unidentified passenger hospitalized after SUV crash
- Thread starter AleksandarN
- Start date
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
Horrible news. Best wishes to Smith and his family.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
I cannot believe a mature and responsible young man like J.R. Smith would run a stopsign and not be wearing a seatbelt. Clearly his brakes went out. 
chrisnu
Bench
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Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
I do not wish him ill particularly, and its good that most everybody is going to be ok. But my sympathy is strictly limited when a guy causes the bleeping accident himself, not only running a stop, but swerving around a car parked at the stop sign to run the stop sign, sans seatbelets for either person in the front of the car.
Young, dumb, reckless, and if he didn't kill himself, he could easily have killed somebody else, whether his passenger or the apparently innocent people in the other car. No crocodile tears here. But for a little luck, this guy is facing criminal charges and engdangering people's lives.
Young, dumb, reckless, and if he didn't kill himself, he could easily have killed somebody else, whether his passenger or the apparently innocent people in the other car. No crocodile tears here. But for a little luck, this guy is facing criminal charges and engdangering people's lives.
That doesn't sound like he's out of danger yet... And if he does take a turn for the worse, JR Smith could be looking at vehicular manslaughter charges.
I suspect Bell's family has already been contacted by lawyers ready, willing and able to make sure Bell's needs are taken care of by Smith's NBA earnings.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Can't do that, in theory. Although ambulance chasers are the bane of lawyerdom and find ways to "bend" the rules as often as not.
AleksandarN
Starter
I do not know if they can make it stick because of the fact that he didnot wear a seatbelt which increases the chance of serious injury.
I believe not wearing a seat belt might make Bell partially responsible but Smith was still driving; Smith ran the stop sign. Bricklayer can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Smith would still be held partially responsible.
Here's an update:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2900023&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
Passenger in Smith car has life-threatening injuries
Updated: June 10, 2007, 8:03 PM ET
NEWARK, N.J. -- Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith remained hospitalized Sunday after being thrown from his vehicle during a crash Saturday night, but his injuries aren't believed to be as serious as first thought.
"J.R. is fine. There is nothing career- or life-threatening," Nuggets spokesman Eric Sebastian said Sunday. "I did not hear anything that would suggest he is going to be out any games. He is more concerned about the other people in the accident."
Smith and a passenger, Andre Bell, 21, of East Orange, were seriously injured Saturday when the sport utility vehicle Smith was driving went through a stop sign and overturned after colliding with a car at about 5:30 p.m. in Millstone Township, state police said.
Carroll Marshall, 23, another passenger in the SUV, and Lynn Sinatra, 49, of Millstone, who was driving the car, sustained minor injuries. They were taken to CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, where they were treated and later released.
Both Smith and Bell were ejected from the vehicle, said Lt. Brian McPherson, commander of the state police's Hamilton barracks. Bell -- who sustained life-threatening head injuries -- was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune, while Smith was taken there by ambulance.
Further details on their status and their injuries were not disclosed Sunday.
Smith, 21, was a star player at Lakewood High School and St. Benedict's Prep in New Jersey before being the 18th overall pick of New Orleans in the 2004 NBA draft. He averaged 13.0 points in 63 games for Denver this past season.
kennadog
Dog On It!
Stupid, dumb, irresponsible. I'm sorry that people got hurt, but Smith ought to be in big trouble with the law. Yes, everyone should have been wearing seat belts, but to go around a car and run a stop sign? What a criminally stupid thing to do.
You know what may be worse than dying from "serious" head injuries? Surviving serious head injuries. My cousin fell from a ladder on a job and sustained serious, life-threatening head injuries. We were so relieved when he came out of the coma.
Unfortunately, that was only the beginning of a nightmare life for him. He's never been the same person and its been horrible to watch his decline and the misery for him and those who love him. At least his was a true accident.
I pray that Mr. Bell is luckier than my cousin, but any serious head injury can have permanent effects on a person you would never imagine.
You know what may be worse than dying from "serious" head injuries? Surviving serious head injuries. My cousin fell from a ladder on a job and sustained serious, life-threatening head injuries. We were so relieved when he came out of the coma.
Unfortunately, that was only the beginning of a nightmare life for him. He's never been the same person and its been horrible to watch his decline and the misery for him and those who love him. At least his was a true accident.
I pray that Mr. Bell is luckier than my cousin, but any serious head injury can have permanent effects on a person you would never imagine.
supamari0
Bench
The passenger died. 
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2900023
Passenger in Smith car dies; player doing OK
Updated: June 11, 2007, 9:16 PM ET
NEPTUNE, N.J. -- A New Jersey man who was thrown from Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith's sport utility vehicle when it overturned last weekend died Monday night in the hospital, state police said.
Andre Bell, 21, was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle Smith was driving when it went through a stop sign, collided with another car and flipped over at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Millstone Township.
Bell, who was in a coma, died from head injuries at 6 p.m. at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, said state police spokesman Sgt. Stephen Jones.
Smith, 21, who was also thrown from the sport vehicle, remained at Jersey Shore on Monday with an injured left shoulder and numerous scratches, Jones said.
Neither Smith nor Bell were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, he said.
Nuggets spokesman Eric Sebastian said he did not know when Smith might be discharged.
"I think it's too early to say," Sebastian said. "From everything we hear, he's going to be OK."
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."
Smith has been issued two traffic tickets for failure to stop at stop sign and improper passing, Jones said. Both carry fines, though the amount was not immediately available.
A third person in Smith's car and the driver of the car he hit had only minor injuries.
Smith had been a star at Lakewood High School and St. Benedict's Prep in Newark before being the 18th overall pick of New Orleans in the 2004 NBA draft. He averaged 13.0 points in 63 games for Denver this past season.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2900023
Passenger in Smith car dies; player doing OK
Updated: June 11, 2007, 9:16 PM ET
NEPTUNE, N.J. -- A New Jersey man who was thrown from Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith's sport utility vehicle when it overturned last weekend died Monday night in the hospital, state police said.
Andre Bell, 21, was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle Smith was driving when it went through a stop sign, collided with another car and flipped over at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Millstone Township.
Bell, who was in a coma, died from head injuries at 6 p.m. at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, said state police spokesman Sgt. Stephen Jones.
Smith, 21, who was also thrown from the sport vehicle, remained at Jersey Shore on Monday with an injured left shoulder and numerous scratches, Jones said.
Neither Smith nor Bell were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, he said.
Nuggets spokesman Eric Sebastian said he did not know when Smith might be discharged.
"I think it's too early to say," Sebastian said. "From everything we hear, he's going to be OK."
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."
Smith has been issued two traffic tickets for failure to stop at stop sign and improper passing, Jones said. Both carry fines, though the amount was not immediately available.
A third person in Smith's car and the driver of the car he hit had only minor injuries.
Smith had been a star at Lakewood High School and St. Benedict's Prep in Newark before being the 18th overall pick of New Orleans in the 2004 NBA draft. He averaged 13.0 points in 63 games for Denver this past season.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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acisking
Bench
I didn't realize Bell was in the back seat. I know lots of adults who wouldn't wear a seatbelt in the back seat. Then again, those adults rightfully don't expect their driver to drive around a car and through a stop sign. It's unfair to place blame entirely on any one person, but it isn't a stretch to claim that Smith's driving had a larger part to play in this tragedy than Bell not wearing a seatbelt in the back seat. I feel sorry for all parties involved and honestly wonder what kind of an effect this will have on Smith.
Can be sued for negligence. It's very possible the family could win, because running a stop sign is definitely very dangerous. Even with a seatbelt there are still those chances (albeit a lot less).
chelle
Starter
That's probably a good bet on the vehicular homicide. Either way, it was entirely stupid. Add this to the "it won't ever happen to me" file. It's a shame that we need these constant reminders. I doubt Smith will get off easily for this one, but he has to deal with a lot of emotional trauma on this one as well.
kingsfan916
Starter
that sucks RIP
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Nuggets' Smith Had License Suspended 5 Times
13th June, 2007 - 2:00 am
USA Today
NEPTUNE, N.J. (AP) — Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith has been released from the hospital after a weekend collision that claimed the life of a friend.
The Nuggets issued a statement in Denver on Tuesday, saying Smith was "devastated by the loss of his good friend," Andre Bell. The statement asked for privacy for Smith and his family.
Bell, 21, of East Orange died Monday at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he and Smith were taken after the crash Saturday in Millstone. Bell suffered severe head injuries and had been in a coma.
Smith, also 21, had injuries to his left shoulder and numerous scratches. He lives in Millstone.
A third person in Smith's SUV and the driver of the other vehicle in the collision sustained minor injuries.
The investigation into the crash is continuing, but Smith has already been cited for improper passing and failure to stop at a stop sign.
Investigators said Smith was driving and Bell was a passenger when Smith's 2003 GMC Yukon went through a stop sign, collided with a Jaguar and overturned. Neither man was wearing a seat belt, and both were ejected, investigators said.
Smith's driver's license had been suspended five times in less than a year but was "in good standing" at the time of Saturday's crash, according to New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission spokesman Kevin Cranston. He said that Smith, 21, had paid all restoration fees and fines.
Smith's driving record was reported Tuesday in The Star Ledger of Newark.
Smith amassed 27 points against his license from April 22, 2005, to Jan. 10, 2006, with eight violations on seven dates. Five of the citations were for speeding.
His most recent license suspension came Feb. 7, 2006, Cranston said.
Smith had been a sports standout at Lakewood High School and St. Benedict's Prep in Newark before being chosen as the 18th overall pick of New Orleans in the 2004 NBA Draft. He averaged 13.0 points in 63 games for the Nuggets this past season.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/nuggets/2007-06-12-smith-license_N.htm?csp=34
13th June, 2007 - 2:00 am
USA Today
NEPTUNE, N.J. (AP) — Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith has been released from the hospital after a weekend collision that claimed the life of a friend.
The Nuggets issued a statement in Denver on Tuesday, saying Smith was "devastated by the loss of his good friend," Andre Bell. The statement asked for privacy for Smith and his family.
Bell, 21, of East Orange died Monday at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he and Smith were taken after the crash Saturday in Millstone. Bell suffered severe head injuries and had been in a coma.
Smith, also 21, had injuries to his left shoulder and numerous scratches. He lives in Millstone.
A third person in Smith's SUV and the driver of the other vehicle in the collision sustained minor injuries.
The investigation into the crash is continuing, but Smith has already been cited for improper passing and failure to stop at a stop sign.
Investigators said Smith was driving and Bell was a passenger when Smith's 2003 GMC Yukon went through a stop sign, collided with a Jaguar and overturned. Neither man was wearing a seat belt, and both were ejected, investigators said.
Smith's driver's license had been suspended five times in less than a year but was "in good standing" at the time of Saturday's crash, according to New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission spokesman Kevin Cranston. He said that Smith, 21, had paid all restoration fees and fines.
Smith's driving record was reported Tuesday in The Star Ledger of Newark.
Smith amassed 27 points against his license from April 22, 2005, to Jan. 10, 2006, with eight violations on seven dates. Five of the citations were for speeding.
His most recent license suspension came Feb. 7, 2006, Cranston said.
Smith had been a sports standout at Lakewood High School and St. Benedict's Prep in Newark before being chosen as the 18th overall pick of New Orleans in the 2004 NBA Draft. He averaged 13.0 points in 63 games for the Nuggets this past season.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/nuggets/2007-06-12-smith-license_N.htm?csp=34
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Smith amassed 27 points against his license from April 22, 2005, to Jan. 10, 2006, with eight violations on seven dates. Five of the citations were for speeding.
That's going to go a long way towards a lawsuit going through against him.
Insomniacal Fan
Starter
Well, I certainly would be wearing a seatbelt if he was driving me.
RaY Z
Starter
i wouldnt even get in the car if he was going to drive me...
the fact that he has eight violations and shouldnt have even been driving in the first place makes its worse for him and the family of mr. bell...
my thoughts go out to them....
im just wondering is it against the law to not wear a seatbelt for ALL passengers in a vehicle in the US? here down under they place strict emphasis on wearing a seatbelt, everyone in the vehicle MUST wear a seat belt. Even if the one person is not wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle, either from the back or front seats of a vehicle, the driver is responsible and can lose his license or alot of demerit points....
last time i heard, it was only the people in the front seats of a vehicle who had to wear seatbelts in the US (for most states im guessing). Have they changed that policy yet in any states? Also, is the policy of everyone having to wear a seatbelt a law in any of the states?
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kennadog
Dog On It!
You don't want to plan on driving in multiple states here. It varies among the 50 states. Apparently New Hampshire is the only state with no seat belt law and their legislature just voted down a proposal again. State Motto of New Hampshire? "Live Free or Die."
Adult restraint laws:
http://www.iihs.org/laws/state_laws/restrain3.html
Child restraint laws:
http://www.iihs.org/laws/state_laws/restrain2.html
There is also a difference in enforcement. In some states you will only receive a violation if you are pulled over for something else and you or passengers are not restrained. Other states, like California, an officer can pull you over just for breaking the restraint laws.
Californian even has commercials on television with the saying "Click it or Ticket"
You don't want to plan on driving in multiple states here. It varies among the 50 states. Apparently New Hampshire is the only state with no seat belt law and their legislature just voted down a proposal again. State Motto of New Hampshire? "Live Free or Die."
Adult restraint laws:
http://www.iihs.org/laws/state_laws/restrain3.html
Child restraint laws:
http://www.iihs.org/laws/state_laws/restrain2.html
There is also a difference in enforcement. In some states you will only receive a violation if you are pulled over for something else and you or passengers are not restrained. Other states, like California, an officer can pull you over just for breaking the restraint laws.
