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The truck driver who severely injured Tracy Morgan in a fatal June 2014 car crash was formally indicted Wednesday by a New Jersey grand jury. Kevin Roper now faces numerous charges, including first-degree aggravated manslaughter, third-degree aggravated assault, and second-degree vehicular homicide.
Roper was not in court for Wednesday’s hearing. As Gossip Cop previously reported, his lawyer had been seeking a dismissal of the case on the grounds that the truck driver couldn’t get a fair trial due to the media attention surrounding Morgan’s painstaking recovery. On Tuesday, the request was rejected, and now the indictment means Roper will have to stand trial, though the issue may be reexamined in January.
Roper, a truck driver at the time for Walmart, crashed into Morgan’s limo bus on the New Jersey Turnpike, killing his friend and comedian James McNair, as well as injuring several other passengers. The National Transportation Safety Board conducted an extensive investigation and concluded in August that Roper hadn’t slept in the 28 hours prior to the crash, a claim his legal team disputes. The report, however, also noted that Morgan and several other passengers in the limo were not wearing seat belts, which contributed to their injuries.
Gossip Cop reported in May that a confidential settlement had been reached between Morgan and Walmart. It’s been claimed that he received as much as $90 million for pain and suffering. An arraignment for Roper, who is now facing 18 months to 30 years in prison, will be scheduled at a later date. Check back with Gossip Cop for further updates as this story continues to develop.
