Nuggets' J.R. Smith released from hospital

Last Updated: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 | 5:54 PM ET

CBC Sports

Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith was released from the hospital Tuesday following a weekend auto accident that resulted in the death of a friend.

Smith, 21, injured his left shoulder in last Saturday's crash in Millstone, N.J., which claimed the life of 21-year-old Andre Bell.

J.R. Smith was released from a New Jersey hospital on Tuesday.
(Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images)

Bell suffered severe head injuries and died Monday at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in nearby Neptune.

According to investigators, both Bell and Smith were ejected from the vehicle because neither was wearing a seat belt when it collided with a Jaguar.

Another passenger in Smith's vehicle and the driver of the Jaguar received treatment for minor injuries.

Smith, who was cited for running a stop sign and for improper passing, reportedly committed eight traffic violations on seven dates between April 2005 and January 2006, including five involving speeding.

His licence has been suspended five times, but New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission spokesman Kevin Cranston confirmed that it was "in good standing" at the time of the accident.

Smith started 24 of 63 games for Denver this season, averaging 13.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 23.4 minutes.

He has averaged 10.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 22.3 minutes in 194 games (105 starts) over three NBA seasons with the New Orleans Hornets and Nuggets.

Smith was drafted 18th overall out of high school by New Orleans in 2004.