Next hearing in Tracy Morgan crash case set for November

NEW BRUNSWICK - The next court date for Walmart truck driver Kevin Roper whose 2014 crash on the New Jersey Turnpike injured comedian Tracy Morgan and killed his friend is set for Nov. 9.

The status conference date was set after Assistant Prosecutor Sheree Pitchford and Roper's attorney, David Glassman, met in closed quarters Thursday with Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Michael Toto. Roper, a resident of Jonesboro, Georgia, did not attend the court session.

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On June 7, 2014, Roper, 37, was driving a Walmart truck on the New Jersey Turnpike when it allegedly crashed with a limousine bus Morgan and others were traveling in following a performance in Delaware.

Morgan suffered a traumatic brain injury, in addition to a broken leg, nose and ribs. His friend, mentor and fellow comedian James "Jimmy Mack" McNair was killed in the crash, and two other passengers, Ardley Fuqua, of Jersey City, and Jeffrey Millea, of Shelton, Connecticut, were seriously injured.

Roper has been indicted on first-degree aggravated manslaughter, second-degree vehicular homicide and third-degree aggravated assault charges. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to a National Transportation Safety Board investigationm Roper allegedly hadn’t slept  for 28 hours before the crash. The probe also indicated that Roper failed to slow down before the crash. He allegedly was traveling 65 mph, although there were signs advising drivers to slow from 55 mph to 45 mph because of construction in the area. Roper's attorney has disputed the finding about Roper's sleep schedule.

Morgan has the medical care he received at JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute at JFK Medical Center in Edison and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick for his recovery. Since the crash and medical treatment, he has returned to performing on television and in movies and comedy shows. He is currently appearing in the Tracy Morgan Picking Up the Pieces 2016 Tour in California, according to his Twitter page. Morgan is scheduled to appear in the New York Comedy Festival on Nov. 5 at Carnegie Hall, just days before Roper's hearing.

Morgan reached a confidential settlement in his lawsuit against Walmart last year. Walmart also reached a settlement with McNair's two children.

Staff Writer Suzanne Russell: 732-565-7335; srussell@mycentraljersey.com