Tracy Morgan seriously hurt in car crash in New Jersey

Comedian Tracy Morgan, best known for his roles on “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock,” was critically injured when his limo bus overturned in a multi-vehicle car crash in New Jersey early on Saturday morning, police said.

Morgan, 45, was taken by helicopter to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in critical condition and was in intensive care, said Gregory Williams, a state police spokesman.

The car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike involving a bus, two tractor-trailers, a sports utility vehicle and two other vehicles killed one and injured three others. The accident occurred around 1 a.m. on Saturday morning near Cranberry Township, Williams said.

Comedian James McNair, also known as Jimmy Mack, was killed in the crash, police said. McNair, who was 63 and lived in Peekskill, New York, was riding in the limo bus with Morgan.

Jeff Millea, Morgan’s assistant and another comedian’s, Harris Stanton and Ardie Fuqua, were also injured.

The driver of the Walmart tractor trailer, Kevin Roper, 35 of Jonesboro, GA has been charged with death by auto, and four counts of assault by auto.

Authorities state Roper apparently failed to slow for traffic ahead early Saturday in Cranbury Township and swerved at the last minute to avoid a car crash.

Instead, his big rig smashed into the back of Morgan’s chauffeured Mercedes limo bus.

Roper, accompanied by his attorney, turned himself in to state police. He was released on $50,000 bail Saturday night and has been placed on administrative leave, Wal-Mart spokesman David Tovar said Sunday.

Morgan’s publicist, Lewis Kay, released a statement that reads, “Tracy remains in critical condition at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital.

He sustained these injuries in an accident that occurred early this morning as one of several passengers in a chauffeured SUV returning from a tour date in Delaware.

His family is now with him and he is receiving excellent care. We don’t anticipate much of a change in his condition today but will provide a further update once more information becomes available.”

Morgan was on the road for his “Turn it Funny” stand-up comedy tour. He was booked to perform at a casino in Dover, Delaware, on Friday night and had been due to appear on Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Source: Chicago Tribune