Tracy Morgan Suing Walmart
by Shannon KeirnanFormer "SNL" and "30 Rock" funnyman Tracy Morgan is not laughing over a crash that left one of his friends dead, and everyone else involved injured.
Recently, Morgan was able to leave the hospital, where he was recovering from serious injuries, and moved to a rehabilitation center. Thursday, Morgan, along with others involved in the crash, filed a suit against Walmart for the incident.
"Walmart was careles and negligent in the ownership and operation of its motor vehicle, which caused Mr. Morgan to suffer severe personal injuries... including but not limited to multiple fractures which required multiple surgeries, extensive medical treatment, and will require significant physical rehabilitation."
Morgan - along with assistant Jeffrey Millea, his wife Krista Millea, and comedian Ardie Fuqua - are suing for negligence. Krista Millea is additionally suing for loss of consortium.
Walmart has expressed remorse over the crash, which left Morgan's passenger James McNair dead, in a statement.
"We are deeply sorry that one of our trucks was involved. As we've said, we're cooperating fully in the ongoing investigation... we're committed to doing the right thing for all involved."
The suit claims that Walmart is at fault, as the driver of the truck has been "awake for more than 24 consecutive hours" while driving, and had dozed off just before ramming into the back of Morgan's limo van - while doing 65 in a 45 mph zone.
The driver had just driven 700 miles before beginning his shift, although, as noted in the suit, there were multiple other distribution facilities along his route, which would have "significantly reduced Mr. Roper's commute to work."
The suit calls this "unreasonable."
Meanwhile, the driver himself, who also suffered some injuries, has plead not guilty to death by auto and assault by auto charges.