Deadly Truck Crash Involving Comedian Tracy Morgan and Others Settled for Undisclosed Amount

Tracy Morgan, the actor/comedian, has settled his lawsuit against Walmart. In June 2014, Morgan and three others were involved in a truck crash on the New Jersey Turnpike when their limousine was struck by a Walmart truck. Morgan’s close friend and mentor, James “Jimmy Mack” McNair was killed. Morgan suffered serious injuries, which included head trauma, a broken leg and broken ribs. He is still recovering from his injuries. McNair grew up with Morgan in New York City; his two children survive him.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Newark, N.J. Details of the settlement were not disclosed as the case was settled on the basis of the confidential agreement.

The truck driver for Walmart, Kevin Ropert of Jonesboro, Ga., faces criminal charges. He has pleaded not guilty.

Two others were seriously injured besides Morgan and McNair. Based on the criminal lawsuit against Ropert, he had been driving his truck for more than 24 hours without sleeping. He also was driving his truck at 65 mph, when the speed limit was 55 mph and was lowered to 45 mph because of ongoing construction.

The National Transportation Safety Board completed a preliminary investigation of the crash. Morgan and his party were coming from a show in Delaware when the crash took place.

The National Transportation Board Authority said Ropert failed to slow down for traffic and then swerved to avoid a crash, but instead his truck crashed into the back of Morgan’s limousine.

The attorney representing Morgan was Benedict Morelli.

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling truck accident cases, catastrophic injury cases and automobile accident cases for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 38 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Palos Heights, Palos Park, Midlothian, Crestwood, Crete, Beecher, Clarendon Hills, Willowbrook, Bellwood, Berkeley, Northlake, Northfield, Schiller Park, Franklin Park, Chicago (Austin, Jefferson Park, West Ridge, Rogers Park, Edgewater, Lakeview, Bronzeville, Bridgeport), Bedford Park and Oak Lawn, Ill.

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