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| Comedian Tracy Morgan is taking legal action against Wal-Mart regarding a car accident that led to several injuries and one death. Image: Randy Miramontez / Shutterstock.com |
Wal-Mart has
officially stated that they believe Tracy Morgan is to blame for a
June 7 car accident with which he was involved.
The accident involved a Wal-Mart tractor trailer that rammed into
Morgan’s limousine bus on the New Jersey Turnpike, killing Morgan’s friend
Jimmy Mack, 62, and giving Morgan a broken leg and broken ribs. Morgan subsequently spent weeks in rehab.
The statement comes in response to Morgan’s attempt
to sue the company in July via the US District Court in New Jersey. He accused the company of negligence, stating
that they should have known driver Kevin Roper’s 700-mile commute from Delaware
to work in New Jersey was “unreasonable.” The suit also suggests that Roper fell asleep
at the wheel, as authorities have noted he hadn’t slept for more than 24 hours
before the crash.
On the other hand, Wal-Mart’s filed statement argues
that the responsibility at least in part belongs to Morgan, since he wasn’t
wearing a seatbelt. According
to Wal-Mart, Morgan failed to “exercise ordinary care in making use of available
seatbelts…and acted unreasonably and in disregard of plaintiffs’ own best
interests.” They also refuse to accept
responsibility for punitive damages.
Roper
has pleaded
not guilty to death by auto and other charges.
Benedict
Morelli, attorney for the former “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” star,
said it’s “appalling” that Wal-Mart would suggest Morgan is responsible for his
injuries. He is ready to fight,
suggesting that Wal-Mart isn’t mounting a defense, but rather, trying to
mitigate their damages.
Roper
was going 65 MPH, 20 MPH over the speed limit, when he hit Morgan’s limo.
Wal-Mart
initially called the accident a “terrible tragedy” and said they would take “full
responsibility” if Roper was found at fault.
Having issued this statement absolving themselves of any responsibility,
however, the future of the case remains to be seen.
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