Smith Pleads Innocent; Frier Improving

Seattle Seahawks rookie running back Lamar Smith pleaded innocent Friday to vehicular assault in a car wreck that left teammate Mike Frier paralyzed from the neck down.

A pre-trial hearing was scheduled for Feb. 17 by King County Superior Court Judge Joan E. DuBuque. Smith will remain free on his own recognizance.

Frier, meanwhile, is adjusting well to rehabilitation.

He is able to do two-fingered “hunt-and-peck” typing using a specially fitted hand splint, said Laura Shillam, an occupational therapist at the University of Washington Medical Center. This week, he was able to type a short letter to his father.

He is receiving electrical stimulation to his wrists to help him recover additional motion.