Tracy Morgan Crash: Truck Driver Pays Bail, Comedians Send Thoughts And Prayers
While Tracy Morgan and the others who survived the early Saturday morning crash on the New Jersey turnpike continue to recover, the Walmart truck driver believed responsible for slamming into Tracy Morgan’s vehicle has turned himself in, and bailed himself out, reports CNN.
Kevin Roper, 35, with several charges against him for allegedly causing the crash, turned himself in before posting his $50,000 bail, New Jersey State Police Officer, Sergeant Gregory Williams, told CNN.
Tracy Morgan was accompanied by fellow comedians that included Ardie Fuqua, Harris Stanton, Jeffrey Millea, who all suffered serious injuries, and James “Jimmy Mack” McNair, 63, who was tragically killed. One other undisclosed member of the group was released from the hospital Saturday.
The latest on Tracy Morgan’s condition came from his publicist who told CBS News, “(Tracy Morgan’s) family is now with him and he is receiving excellent care. We don’t anticipate much of a change in his condition today.”
CBS Los Angeles also caught up with many of those in the tight-knit comic community, relaying the thoughts of the many friends and colleagues of Tracy Morgan’s, James McNair and the others involved:
“It just breaks our heart to see this happen,” said West Hollywood’s Laugh Factory owner, Jamie Masada. “Anytime we lose a comedian, we just shouldn’t because they’re all a doctor of the soul.”
Masada has known Tracy Morgan for 15 years and is also devastated by McNair’s tragic death.
Another great friend of Tracy Morgan’s, comic Paul Rodriguez, also expressed his prayers and well-wishes, saying, “We hope that (Tracy Morgan) sticks around, we pray that he continues to make us laugh,” Rodriguez said.
Twitter also exploded with the hopes, thoughts and prayers of other comedians for Fuqua, Stanton, Millea, McNair and Morgan.
My heart is with @ARDIEFUQUA, @RealTracyMorgan @HarrisStanton & the family & friends of Jimmy Mack
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) June 8, 2014
Sending lots of love out to Tracy Morgan
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) June 7, 2014
Accordng to police, their preliminary investigation indicates that Roper, driver of the Walmart big rig truck that slammed into Tracy Morgan’s limo, either fell asleep or just didn’t notice traffic coming to a stop.
The initial crash was through the back of Morgan’s vehicle which set off a series of collisions into at least four more vehicles. None of those in the other vehicles were injured, according to police.
Bill Simon, CEO of Walmart, told the Associated Press that they are aware the Tracy Morgan crash involved one of their trucks and that Walmart will take full responsibility if it is determined that its truck was at fault.
Images via CNN/New Jersey State Police and Wikipedia
