The AP reports: A judge sentenced Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith to 90 days in jail Tuesday night for causing an auto accident that killed his friend, though Smith will likely end up serving only 30. Municipal Judge Debra J. Gelson suspended 60 days of the sentence providing Smith performs 500 hours of community service consisting of visiting sick children at hospitals.
InsideHoops.com adds: This incident took place in June of 2007 in New Jersey. Smith drove an SUV through a stop sign.
The following is a statement from Nuggets Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien on J.R. Smith.
“We are fully aware of the legal proceedings involving J.R. Smith today and the judges’ decision. J.R. Smith took responsibility for his role in this tragic accident that occurred in June 2007. The legal statutes mandate that J.R. serve time for driving recklessly and he is grateful that the statutory sentence was reduced from 90 days to 30.
We will continue to support J.R. during this difficult period and will have no further comment at this time.”
