Kevin Roper, the Walmart truck driver charged in the New Jersey Turnpike crash on Saturday that killed comedian James McNair and left Tracy Morgan in critical condition, was arraigned on Wednesday. He entered a not guilty plea.
The Associated Press reports that Roper is facing charges of vehicular homicide and assault by auto. He was charged Sunday and initially released on $50,000 bail.
Walmart has said that Roper was not in violation of federal truck driving standards, but officials said in a criminal complaint that he had not slept in 24 hours.
The accident occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike Saturday, when Morgan was on his way back to New York after a standup gig in Delaware. Morgan has had surgery on his leg, but remains in critical condition. Two other passengers in Morgan’s limo were also injured. One passenger was treated for injuries, but released from the hospital on Saturday.
Morgan, 45, is a comedian best known for appearing on Saturday Night Live for several years and starring on Tina Fey’s 30 Rock series.
image courtesy of Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com