Tracy Morgan, Walmart Reach Settlement in Car Crash Lawsuit

Accident claimed the life of another man and left Morgan severely injured

Tracy Morgan has reached a settlement with Walmart in his lawsuit against the retail giant revolving around an accident in New Jersey which left Morgan severely injured and another man dead.

Walmart announced the settlement on its website Wednesday, saying that the conditions of the settlement are confidential.

Morgan explained that the case was “resolved amicably” in a statement.

“Walmart did right by me and my family, and for my associates and their families,” Morgan said. “I am grateful that the case was resolved amicably.”

In his own statement, Walmart U.S. President and CEO Greg Foran said that his company “has been committed to doing what’s right” in the process.

“Our thoughts continue to go out to everyone that was involved in the accident,” Foran said. “While we know there is nothing that can change what happened, Walmart has been committed to doing what’s right to help ensure the well-being of all of those who were impacted by the accident. We worked closely with [Morgan’s lawyer Benedict P.] Morelli, and we are pleased to have reached an amicable settlement that ends this litigation. We are deeply sorry that one of our trucks was involved.”

The accident occurred on the New Jersey Turnpike in June 2014, when a Walmart truck driven by Kevin Roper struck a vehicle carrying Morgan and others. The suit, filed in July 2014, alleged that Walmart “knew or should have known” that driver Kevin Roper had been awake “for more than 24 consecutive hours” ahead of the accident, violating Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations.

Morgan’s complaint also alleged that the retail company “had a custom and practice of recklessly and intentionally allowing its drivers to drive for prolonged and unreasonable periods of time.”

Ardley Fuqua and Jeffrey Millea,who were additional plaintiffs in the suit, were also included in the settlement, Walmart said.

In addition to Morgan’s injuries, the crash killed comedian James McNair.

Roper, who was charged with death by auto and four counts of assault by auto, had attempted to delay Morgan’s lawsuit, arguing that evidence brought to light in Morgan’s civil case would be harmful to the driver’s criminal case in relation to the crash. However, he was denied.

Roper has pleaded not guilty in his case.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

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