MEMPHIS — Nuggets guard J.R. Smith intends to plead guilty to traffic charges stemming from the 2007 car accident, which killed his close friend.
“We anticipate this will be resolved without a trial,” said Debra Gelson, a Millstone (N.J.) County municipal court judge told the courtroom on Tuesday, according to the Asbury Park Press, which is covering the trial.
Smith was at the hearing Tuesday, and the New Jersey native’s next court date is May 19, which could conflict with the Nuggets’ playoff schedule, depending on how far the team advances.
As previously reported, a grand jury did not indict Smith on any criminal charges from the accident, and so the next step is the traffic charges.
Smith faces charges of improper passing, failure to stop, speeding (67-plus mph in a 35 mph zone), reckless driving and failure to wear a seat belt, and if the charges stand, Smith faces up to 90 days in jail, 16 points on his driving license, municipal prosecutor Richard Kelly told the Asbury Park Press.
Smith is expected to start in Denver’s game tonight in Memphis.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
