New York Criminal Defense Attorney Blog
“30 Rock” and “Saturday Night Live” star Tracy Morgan was seriously injured, and a friend in the vehicle killed, as the result of a multi-vehicle crash on the New Jersey Turnpike early on Saturday, June 7, 2014. After performing at a comedy club in Dover, Delaware on Friday evening, Mr. Morgan, 45, along with a mentor who often performed with Mr. Morgan, “Jimmy Mack” McNair, 63, Jeffrey Millea, 36, Ardie Fuqua, Jr., 43, and Harris Stanton, 37, were travelling back to New York in Morgan’s Mercedes limousine bus on the New Jersey Turnpike near Cranberry, New Jersey early Saturday morning. The vehicle was struck in the rear by a Wal-Mart tractor-trailer operated by 35 year old driver Kevin Roper, who failed to stop when traffic slowed in front of his vehicle and is being charged with vehicular assault and for the death of Mr. McNair.
Mc. McNair apparently died at the scene of his injuries. He hailed from Peekskill, New York, and was described as a close friend and mentor to Morgan. Mr. Morgan suffered a fractured femur, a broken nose and several broken ribs, is listed in critical condition and is expected to remain in the hospital for several weeks recuperating. Stanton suffered a fractured wrist in the accident, and the injuries suffered by Fuqua and Millea were not described in news reports.
Roper attempted to swerve but was unable to avoid striking the rear of the Mercedes, leading to a chain reaction crash with another tractor-trailer, and SUV and two cars. Investigators have not uncovered any evidence at this time that Mr. Roper fell asleep at the wheel, and have no proof of any alcohol or drug involvement at this stage of the investigation. Wal-Mart President Bill Simon acknowledged that a Wal-Mart vehicle was involved in the tragic crash and stated: “This is a tragedy, and we are profoundly sorry that one of our trucks was involved. We are working quickly to understand what happened and are cooperating fully with law enforcement to aid their investigation,” Simon noted that the company “will take full responsibility” if investigators determine that its driver was responsible for the crash. Wal-Mart placed Roper on administrative leave pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.
The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the crash in conjunction with the New Jersey State Police to investigate safety issues regarding commercial trucking and limousine safety, including vehicle maintenance, testing for alcohol and drugs, and other factors that may have played a role in the accident, according to NTSB spokesman Keith Holloway.
Roper was charged with four counts of assault by auto and one count of death by auto. He was released on $50,000 bail on Saturday evening and was due to be arraigned in Middlesex County on June 9, 2014.
Contact the Westchester County Criminal Defense Lawyers online or toll free at (914) 428-7386 if you or a family member are charged with a felony, misdemeanor or a traffic infraction for a free consultation to discuss your case in detail, your legal rights and legal options.