Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Tracy Morgan: Critical, But Responsive At New Brunswick, N.J. Hospital

Two others remain in critical condition stemming from the New Jersey Turnpike crash that killed a Peekskill, N.Y. man. Rumors about amputating his leg are completely fabricated, said Morgan's publicist, Lewis Kay.

Tracy Morgan, former star of T.V.'s Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, remained in critical condition Monday but was more responsive after he was nearly killed in a New Jersey Turnpike car crash, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Morgan's fiancée, Megan, was at his side Monday, and she has asked that the media await official word through before speculating on his condition.

"Rumors about amputating his leg are completely fabricated," said his publicist, Lewis Kay.  "As we shared yesterday, Tracy had surgery on his broken leg. We are working closely with the incredible staff at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital to share information when it is available."

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The Cranbury, N.J. crash on Saturday killed a Peekskill, N.Y. man, while two others - a 36-year-old man from SheltonCt. and a 43-year-old man from Jersey City - remained in condition at Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center, said Zenaida Mendez, spokeswoman for the hospital.

Morgan, 45, was "more responsive" at Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center in New Brunswick after sustaining a broken leg, a broken femur, a broken nose and several broken ribs, said his publicist, Lewis Kay.

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The actor-comedian had surgery earlier Sunday on his leg.

"We expect him to remain in the hospital for several weeks," Kay said. "His family is tremendously overwhelmed and appreciative of the outpouring of love and support from his fans."

Morgan's limo bus overturned in a Saturday morning collision on the New Jersey Turnpike in Cranbury, N.J. that killed James McNair, 63, a passenger. The remaining passenger was treated at the hospital and was released.

Kevin Roper, 35, of JonesboroGa., was 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 van at 1 a.m. Saturday, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

Roper is scheduled to appear in court in New Brunswick on Wednesday. Click here for more information.

Roper surrendered at the New Jersey State Police Cranbury Station at 7 p.m. Sunday and was lodged in the Middlesex County Jail in North Brunswick Saturday. He was released after posting $50,000 bail.

A court appearance was expected sometime Monday, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

Walmart released a statement to the media saying the department-store chain is "profoundly sorry that one of our trucks was involved" and that the company will cooperate fully with law enforcement.

“The facts are continuing to unfold. If it’s determined that our truck caused the accident, Walmart will take full responsibility," according to a statement reported on Business Insider.

A preliminary investigation determined that the tractor-trailer crashed into the van, a 2012 Mercedes Sprinter, as both vehicles traveled in the northbound lanes of the New Jersey Turnpike. Four other vehicles were involved in the crash. None of the occupants of those vehicles was injured, according to the prosecutor's office. 

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the New Jersey State Police Detective Bureau at the Troop D Station in Cranbury at 609-860-9000, extension 4400.

Various reports from ABC News and elsewhere provided new details on the crash, noting that Morgan allegedly screamed for help after his limo bus overturned.


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