Sunday, 8 June 2014

Bail set for driver in Tracy Morgan crash





  • NEW: Truck driver held on $50,000 bail, police say

  • Comedian James McNair, also known as "Jimmy Mack," died in the crash

  • Morgan and two others remain in critical condition

  • Morgan, a former "Saturday Night Live" cast member, was riding in a limo bus




(CNN) -- A truck driver charged in a crash that critically injured actor Tracy Morgan has turned himself in, police said Sunday.


Kevin Roper, 35, is being held on $50,000 bail, Sgt. Gregory Williams of New Jersey State Police told CNN.


The chain-reaction wreck early Saturday killed James McNair, 63, who was riding in a limo bus with Morgan. McNair was a comedian who performed under the name Jimmy Mack, said his sister, Valerie Daniel.


Two others were also injured. All remained in critical condition Sunday at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Jersey, the hospital said.









Actor Tracy Morgan is in critical condition after a six-vehicle accident in New Jersey early Saturday, June 7, authorities said. The former "Saturday Night Live" cast member and "30 Rock" star was riding in a limo bus when the accident occurred. Actor Tracy Morgan is in critical condition after a six-vehicle accident in New Jersey early Saturday, June 7, authorities said. The former "Saturday Night Live" cast member and "30 Rock" star was riding in a limo bus when the accident occurred.



Morgan got his start as a stand-up comedian, working at Harlem's Apollo Theater before landing his gig with "Saturday Night Live." He was a cast member from 1996 until 2003. In the October 3, 1998 "Big Bernard" skit, Morgan performs with basketball star Shaquille O'Neal.Morgan got his start as a stand-up comedian, working at Harlem's Apollo Theater before landing his gig with "Saturday Night Live." He was a cast member from 1996 until 2003. In the October 3, 1998 "Big Bernard" skit, Morgan performs with basketball star Shaquille O'Neal.



Tracy Morgan with Maya Rudolph in the "On The Subway" skit on April 13, 2002. Tracy Morgan with Maya Rudolph in the "On The Subway" skit on April 13, 2002.



In 2003, Morgan left SNL to start "The Tracy Morgan Show," but it ran for only one season before it was canceled. In 2003, Morgan left SNL to start "The Tracy Morgan Show," but it ran for only one season before it was canceled.



Morgan's acting career branched out from television to include movie titles such as "30 Years To Life." Director Vanessa Middleton, left, appeared with Allen Payne and Morgan at the premiere on March 27, 2002. Morgan's acting career branched out from television to include movie titles such as "30 Years To Life." Director Vanessa Middleton, left, appeared with Allen Payne and Morgan at the premiere on March 27, 2002.



Actor Tracy Morgan and his wife Sabina pose on the red carpet during the premiere of "Are We There Yet?" at the Mann Village on January 9, 2005 in Los Angeles. The couple divorced in 2009 after 23 years of marriage. Actor Tracy Morgan and his wife Sabina pose on the red carpet during the premiere of "Are We There Yet?" at the Mann Village on January 9, 2005 in Los Angeles. The couple divorced in 2009 after 23 years of marriage.



Tracy Morgan and Tina Fey worked together after SNL on the show "30 Rock." Morgan played Tracy Jordan, a character that was loosely based on himself. Tracy Morgan and Tina Fey worked together after SNL on the show "30 Rock." Morgan played Tracy Jordan, a character that was loosely based on himself.



Members of the cast of "30 Rock" joke around with their award for outstanding comedy series backstage at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on September 21, 2008. Morgan was also nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Members of the cast of "30 Rock" joke around with their award for outstanding comedy series backstage at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on September 21, 2008. Morgan was also nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.



Morgan starred with Bruce Willis in the 2010 movie "Cop Out."Morgan starred with Bruce Willis in the 2010 movie "Cop Out."



Morgan has stirred up controversy with some of his comments in his comedy acts. "I hurt people with this, so from the bottom of my heart I apologize to everybody who I offended with my words on stage," he said in 2011 after an anti-gay rant in one of his shows. Stand-up comedy should "heal people, not hurt."Morgan has stirred up controversy with some of his comments in his comedy acts. "I hurt people with this, so from the bottom of my heart I apologize to everybody who I offended with my words on stage," he said in 2011 after an anti-gay rant in one of his shows. Stand-up comedy should "heal people, not hurt."



Tracy Morgan promotes his new book "I Am The New Black" at Barnes & Noble Union Square on October 22, 2009 in New York City.Tracy Morgan promotes his new book "I Am The New Black" at Barnes & Noble Union Square on October 22, 2009 in New York City.




Tracy Morgan's comedy career

Tracy Morgan's comedy career

Tracy Morgan's comedy career

Tracy Morgan's comedy career

Tracy Morgan's comedy career

Tracy Morgan's comedy career

Tracy Morgan's comedy career

Tracy Morgan's comedy career

Tracy Morgan's comedy career

Tracy Morgan's comedy career

Tracy Morgan's comedy career



Photos: Tracy Morgan\'s comedy careerPhotos: Tracy Morgan's comedy career






Actor Tracy Morgan in critical condition

Walmart employee charged


Roper is charged with one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto after the tractor-trailer he was driving crashed into the limo bus, a statement from Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office said.


Walmart spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan said Roper is an employee.


"This is a tragedy and we are profoundly sorry that one of our trucks was involved," Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., said in a statement.


"The facts are continuing to unfold. If it's determined that our truck caused the accident, Walmart will take full responsibility."


Chain-reaction crash


The wreck occurred about 1 a.m. ET Saturday on the turnpike in Mercer County, Williams said.


"The driver of the tractor-trailer failed to observe slow-moving traffic ahead," Williams said. "At the last minute, he swerved to try and avoid the Mercedes limo bus but struck it from behind, forcing the limo to rotate and overturn."


Four other vehicles were involved in the crash, the prosecutor's office said, but no one in those vehicles was injured.


Williams said he does not believe alcohol played a role in the crash, but that is under investigation.


The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate "safety issues related to commercial trucking and limousine safety," said agency spokesman Keith Holloway.


From SNL to "30 Rock"




James \

James "Jimmy Mack" McNair and Tracy Morgan "go way back," McNair's sister says.



Morgan, 45, was a regular on "Saturday Night Live" for seven years. He later received an Emmy nomination for his role in "30 Rock," in which he played Tracy Jordan, an exaggerated version of himself.


The New York City native made his reputation with over-the-top characters and impressions of celebrities such as Mike Tyson and Oprah Winfrey.


Morgan performed a comedy tour act Friday night at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino in Dover, Delaware, the venue said.


Christopher Thompson, spokesman for limo owner Atlantic Transportation Services, said he thought the limo bus was heading to drop Morgan off in New Jersey.


The actor received messages of support and concern on Twitter.


"Wishing a speedy recovery to our friend @RealTracyMorgan," tweeted SNL Weekend Update.


"Shocked to wake up and read that @RealTracyMorgan is injured. Love to Tracy and wishing him strength," said former SNL cast member Rachel Dratch.


"My thoughts are with Tracy Morgan and his family. I hope he pulls through this soon and gets back to making us laugh!" said Joan Rivers.


"Saying a prayer for @RealTracyMorgan," said actor-director Jon Favreau.


"Come on @RealTracyMorgan pull through this buddy," tweeted actor Ike Barinholtz of "The Mindy Project."


Funny man Tracy Morgan has known fame and foibles


CNN's Suzanne Presto, Faith Karimi, Rachel Wells, Carma Hassan, Joe Sutton and Alexandra Field contributed to this report.



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