Entertainment

Tracy Morgan Settles Suit with Wal-Mart Over Fatal Crash

Published

10 years ago

May 28, 2015

In this April 9, 2014 file photo, actor Tracy Morgan attends the FX Networks Upfront premiere screening of "Fargo" at the SVA Theater in New York. Kevin Roper, a Wal-Mart driver involved in a New Jersey highway crash that killed a comic and severely injured Morgan, has asked a federal judge to reconsider her decision not to delay Morgans lawsuit against the company. Roper is not a defendant in Morgans lawsuit against Bentonville, Arkansas-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. but wants to intervene to delay it from moving forward until his criminal case is resolved. He filed his appeal Monday, Feb. 16, 2015. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP, File)

In this April 9, 2014 file photo, actor Tracy Morgan attends the FX Networks Upfront premiere screening of “Fargo” at the SVA Theater in New York. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP, File)

DAVID PORTER, Associated Press

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Actor-comedian Tracy Morgan has settled his lawsuit against Wal-Mart over a highway crash that killed one man and left Morgan and two friends seriously injured.

Morgan’s lawyer, Benedict Morelli, said he and Walmart worked diligently to reach the settlement for the plaintiffs and their families.

“Walmart took full responsibility for the accident, which we greatly appreciate,” he said Wednesday in a statement.

In the same statement, Morgan said Wal-Mart “did right by me and my family, and for my associates and their families. I am grateful that the case was resolved amicably.”

Bentonville, Arkansas-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc. called it an “amicable settlement.”

A filing in federal court in Newark referred to a confidential settlement reached by the two sides, and details weren’t disclosed.

A Wal-Mart truck slammed into the back of a limo van carrying Morgan and the others back from a show in Delaware last June. Comedian James “Jimmy Mack” McNair was killed. Morgan suffered head trauma, a broken leg and broken ribs and is still recovering.

Wal-Mart reached a settlement with McNair’s two children in January. McNair, of Peekskill, New York, grew up with Morgan in New York City and was a friend and mentor to him over the years.

Wal-Mart had said earlier this year it was working toward settlements with the victims of the crash.

“We know there is nothing we can do to change what happened to Mr. McNair,” company spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan said in January. “We’re committed to doing what’s right.”

The truck driver, Kevin Roper, of Jonesboro, Georgia, faces several criminal charges, including death by auto, in state court. He has pleaded not guilty. He wasn’t a defendant in Morgan’s federal lawsuit.

Morgan, who starred on “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock,” suffered what his lawyer has referred to as a traumatic brain injury and hasn’t worked since. The lawyer said in March that Morgan wasn’t fully recovered but was “working very hard to get better, physically, emotionally and mentally.”

Morgan had hoped to attend the 40th anniversary show of “Saturday Night Live” in February but was unable to.

Limo van passengers Ardley Fuqua, of Jersey City, New Jersey, and Jeffrey Millea, of Shelton, Connecticut, also suffered serious injuries in the crash and were plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Wal-Mart.

According to a criminal complaint, Roper was operating the truck without having slept for more than 24 hours.

A preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board estimated that Roper was driving 65 mph in the minute before he slammed into Morgan’s limo van on the New Jersey Turnpike. The speed limit on that stretch of the turnpike is 55 mph and was lowered to 45 mph that night because of construction.

Authorities said Roper apparently failed to slow for traffic ahead and then swerved to avoid a crash but instead his big rig smashed into the back of Morgan’s limo.

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Activism

Richmond Seniors Still Having a Ball After 25 Years

The Senior Winter Ball is a symbol of the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them. “Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Myrtle Braxton (l-r), Byran H. Harris, and Michelle Hayes. Photo by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

For a quarter century, seniors in the local community have had a prime location in the heart of the city to gather and celebrate the holidays.

That is courtesy of the annual Senior Winter Ball, which will mark a milestone this year when it takes place for the 25^th time. The gala will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

The holiday tradition was started by the City of Richmond’s Commission on Aging in 1999 to entertain and celebrate seniors. The event also raises funds for local senior causes. Attendees wear their finest attire and enjoy dinner and dancing.

“It’s so exciting to see all of the gala attendees all dressed up and seeing their lifetime friends and making new friends as well,” said Bryan M. Harris, secretary for the Commission on Aging. “They will reminisce about old Winter Ball memories and at the same time create new ones.”

Richmond’s very own Chef Josephine Orozco of El Sol Catering will serve at this year’s anniversary dinner. The gala will also feature the band Top Shelf Classics, which plays hits from the 50s through the 80s and has been the gala’s annual performer for the last decade.

The Senior Winter Ball symbolizes the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them.

“Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Myrtle Braxton, 97, has served on the commission for 17 years and is its current vice president. She says her goal is to increase the quality of life for seniors through safe social events.

“So many seniors are isolated and are sometimes forgotten by society,” Braxton said. “So, our commission is their advocate and makes sure they are not left behind.”

Tickets to the 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Senior Winter Ball are $45 per person or $360 for a table of eight. They are available in person via the Main Recreation office at 3230 Macdonald Ave., via email at csdregistration@ci.richmond.ca.us or by phone at 510-620-6793.