J.R. Smith and fallen friend 'were like Mutt and Jeff'

Julie Poppen and Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News

Published June 13, 2007 at midnight

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Whenever games against the New Jersey Nets or New York Knicks brought Denver Nuggets player J.R. Smith back to the East Coast, Andre Bell was often right there with him.

The two were students together at St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, N.J., where they forged a close friendship.

"He and J.R. were like Mutt and Jeff," said the Rev. Edwin Leahy, St. Benedict’s longtime headmaster.

Now, Smith is grieving the death of his friend.

Smith, 21, was at the wheel of a 2003 GMC Yukon Saturday afternoon when he drove around a car at a stop sign in rural Millstone Township, N.J., authorities said. Seconds later, he collided head-on with a Jaguar sedan.

Smith was released from the hospital today after treatment for injuries to his left shoulder, cuts and bruises. Bell, 21, of East Orange, N.J., a passenger in the SUV, suffered a head injury and died two days after the crash. Neither man was wearing a seatbelt.

Another passenger and the Jaguar driver were released from hospitals after treatment.

Smith was ticketed on suspicion of failing to stop at a stop sign and improper passing, but could face additional charges now that Bell has died.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin yesterday promised "a fair and thorough and exhaustive investigation." He said a joint probe by his agency and the New Jersey State Police could take from weeks to months.

New Jersey State Police Sgt. Stephen Jones said toxicology tests are pending but that there was no evidence of alcohol or drugs being involved in the crash. Smith has a record of driving infractions.

The Star-Ledger of Newark, citing New Jersey motor vehicle records, reported that Smith racked up 27 points and five suspensions in less than a year for speeding, failing to give proper signals, reckless driving and delaying traffic.

Smith’s father referred questions to the Nuggets. The team released a statement Tuesday that said: "J.R. is devastated by the loss of his good friend. He and his family have asked that we respect their privacy during this difficult time. They also ask that we continue to keep those involved in this accident and their families in our thoughts and prayers."

Members of Bell’s family declined to comment.

Leahy said Bell attended St. Benedict’s Prep beginning in 1999, but did not finish his studies there. Smith graduated in 2004.

"It’s a tragedy and there’s no other way to describe it," Leahy said. "You’ve got two young people — one who has gone on to glory and another who has to live with that for the rest of his life."

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