MORGAN crash Complaint: Trucker in accident hadn’t slept

Associated Press

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.

A truck driver accused of triggering a highway crash that injured Tracy Morgan and killed another comedian hadn’t slept for more than 24 hours before the accident, authorities said Monday as Morgan recovered in a hospital.

Wal-Mart trucker Kevin Roper is expected to appear in state court Wednesday. It was unclear if Roper, of Jonesboro, Ga., had retained an attorney. He was free after posting $50,000 bond.

Authorities said Roper apparently failed to slow for traffic early Saturday in Cranbury Township and then swerved to avoid a crash. Instead, they said, his big rig smashed into the back of Morgan’s chauffeured limo bus, killing comedian James “Jimmy Mack” McNair and injuring Morgan and three others.

Morgan, a former “Saturday Night Live” cast member, was in critical but stable condition Monday.

Roper is charged with death by auto and four counts of assault by auto. Under New Jersey law, a person can be charged with assault by auto if he or she causes injury after knowingly operating a vehicle after being awake for more than 24 hours.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. President Bill Simon said the company “will take full responsibility” if authorities determine its truck caused the accident.