Andre Bell, 21, was thrown from the back seat of Smith's vehicle when it went through a stop sign, was struck by another automobile and flipped over two days ago in Millstone Township, New Jersey.

Bell, who had been in a coma, died from head injuries around 6 p.m. local time at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center, state police spokesman Sgt. Stephen Jones said in a telephone interview.

The 20-year-old Smith, who was also thrown from the vehicle, remained at the hospital today with a left shoulder injury, scratches and bruises, he said.

Smith, who lives in Millstone Township, and Bell, of East Orange, N.J., both weren't wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, Jones said.

Smith was issued tickets for failure to stop at a stop sign and improper passing, Jones said.

Smith averaged a career-high 13.0 points with 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 63 games last season, his first with Denver after spending his first two in the National Basketball Association with the New Orleans Hornets.