Georgia Trucker Charged in Fatal Crash That Injured Tracy Morgan
A Georgia truck driver has been charged with causing a six-car pileup on the New Jersey Turnpike that killed one person and left four people injured, including funnyman Tracy Morgan.
According to CNN, prosecutors in Middlesex County have charged driver Kevin Roper with one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto.
Police believed the driver was dozing and didn't see traffic slowing in front of his tractor-trailer until it was too late, crashing into a limo bus carrying Morgan and his entourage.
Initial reports indicated there were seven people injured in the crash, but the prosecutor's statement put the number at four.
One of the people killed in the accident was 64-year-old veteran comedian James "Jimmy Mack" McNair who was a very close friend of Morgan.
"He spoke very highly of Tracy," McNair's sister, Valerie Daniel, told CNN. "They go way back."
Morgan and two other passengers, whose identities are unknown, are still hospitalized in critical condition.
As for the limo driver, Tyrone Gale, he's reportedly shaken up but didn't sustained any life-threatening injuries, according to a rep for Atlantic Transportation Services.
Morgan was returning from a concert performance at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino in Delaware and was traveling to New York.
When news broke of Morgan’s fatal car crash, rappers and celebrities went on Twitter to tweet out their best wishes to the actor's recovery.
"Hope my brother @RealTracyMorgan is well & make a safe recovery," tweeted Raekwon. "Prayers to all of those involved in the car crash this morning. Stay strong Tracy Morgan. We love you," wrote Russell Simmons.