The driver of the tractor-trailer that struck a limo bus carrying Tracy Morgan and six others on the New Jersey Turnpike Saturday, killing one person and leaving the comedian and two others critically injured, had not slept in more than 24 hours, according to a criminal complaint.
Kevin Roper, 35, was driving a Walmart truck on the turnpike when he apparently failed to notice traffic slowing down in front of him. Roper smashed into the back of the the limo, causing it to flip and slid into several other vehicles.
Comedian James "Jimmy Mack" McNair was killed, and Morgan suffered a broken leg, broken nose and several broken ribs and is expected to remain hospitalized for "several weeks." according to his spokesman Lewis Kay.
Also critically injured were Morgan's assistant, Jeffrey Millea, 36, and comedian Ardie Fuqua Jr., 43. They remained in critical condition Sunday evening, said officials at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick. Another passenger, comic Harris Stanton, was treated and released.
A criminal complaint charging Roper with vehicular homicide and assault by auto alleges he had not slept in more than 24 hours. It did not elaborate on that part of the investigation.
Morgan was coming back from a standup show in Delaware when the limo was struck about 15 miles north of Trenton near exit 8A. His spokesman said the 45-year-old "Saturday Night Live" veteran was "more responsive" Sunday after undergoing surgery.
Roper was released on bail Saturday night and is set to be arraigned Wednesday. Attorney information was not immediately available.
Pictured: Kevin Roper is the tractor-trailer driver who was charged in the fatal accident involving comedian Tracy Morgan.
Photo Credit: AP