Wal-Mart Truck Driver Indicted in Fatal New Jersey Crash
The Wal-Mart truck driver who slammed into the limo carrying comedians Tracy Morgan and James “Uncle Jimmy Mack” McNair has been formally indicted. A New Jersey grand jury found the trucker would face charges of aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and aggravated assault. The charges stems from a crash in June of 2015 that left James McNair dead and Morgan severely injured—a tragic case that highlights the importance of consulting a skilled truck accident lawyer after a catastrophic collision.
Defense Claims Media Coverage Impacted Fair Trial
The trucker’s attorney attempted to have the individual charges of vehicular homicide and assault by an automobile thrown out. The attorney argued that the publicity following the accident and the subsequent settlement by Wal-Mart essentially tainted any chance at a fair trial.
Wal-Mart had previously reached an out of court settlement with Morgan and those involved in the crash for an undisclosed amount.
What Caused the Tracy Morgan Truck Accident?
The accident occurred in 2014, in Cranbury Township after midnight. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the Wal-Mart truck, being driven by Mr. Roper failed to slow down in a clearly marked construction zone. Having been up for almost 28 hours, the trucker was unable to negotiate the turn or slow down as he came upon the limo carrying Morgan. The collision caused the limo to strike three other vehicles before flipping over and landing on its side along the New Jersey Turnpike. Despite the driver’s clear negligence, the jury also faulted Morgan and the limo passengers for not wearing their safety belts.
Injured in a Truck Accident? Contact a Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one are ever involved in an accident with a large truck, you need to contact an experienced New Jersey commercial truck accident attorney. Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari has helped many people and their families pursue settlements for their damages. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.
We can be reached at 973-845-4421.