Crime & Safety

UPDATE: SNL Alum Tracy Morgan In ICU After Middlesex County, N.J. Crash

Peekskill, N.Y. man killed in Saturday crash; three, including Morgan, remain in critical condition at Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center in New Brunswick, N.Y.

Tracy Morgan, former star of T.V.'s Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, remained in critical condition Sunday after suffering head injuries in a Middlesex County, N.J. crash that killed a Peekskill, N.Y. man, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Morgan, 45, was "more responsive" Sunday 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.

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

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"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."

Two others remained in critical condition after Morgan's limo bus overturned in a Saturday morning collision on the New Jersey Turnpike in Cranbury, N.J., said Zenaida Mendez, spokeswoman for Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center in New Brunswick.

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A 36-year-old man from SheltonCt. and another passenger, a 43-year-old man from Jersey City, remained in critical condition at the hospital, Mendez said. 

James McNair, 63, of Peekskill, N.Y., a passenger in the limo bus, was killed in the crash, police said. 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 surrendered at the New Jersey State Police Cranbury Station at 7 p.m. and was lodged in the Middlesex County Jail in North Brunswick Saturday. He was released after posting $50,000 bail.

A court appearance is expected sometime Monday but has not been scheduled, 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.

Bail was set at $50,000 for the tractor-trailer driver, who was expected to surrender, according to the prosecutor's office.

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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