Hundreds are expected Thursday at a funeral for the Westchester comedian who was killed in the New Jersey Turnpike crash that critically injured "30 Rock" star Tracy Morgan.
A service for James "Jimmy Mack" McNair was being held at the Paramount Theater of the Hudson Valley in Peekskill, according to the E.O. Curry Funeral Home. The marquee outside the theater was lit Thursday morning in his honor.
McNair and Morgan were riding to New York City after a show in Delaware when a Wal-Mart truck smashed into the back of Morgan's limo, causing it to flip and slide into several other vehicles.
McNair was pronounced dead after the crash. Morgan suffered a broken leg, broken nose and several broken ribs. He's expected to remain hospitalized for "several weeks" according to his spokesman. Two other passengers were seriously injured, and another was treated and released from the hospital.
McNair is remembered as a friend and mentor to Morgan and was active in Peekskill as a frequent volunteer.
He also helped care for his sister, who has cancer, associates said.
McNair's family set up a donation fund to help pay for his daughter Denita's college tuition. She is set to graduate from Peekskill High School this spring.
The truck driver, Kevin Roper, pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide and assault by auto charges Wednesday in state Superior Court. A criminal complaint alleges that he hadn't slept for 24 hours before the accident.
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