Search
 

Deadly Truck Crash Critically Injures Comedian, Sparks Debate on Commercial Trucking Safety

Comedian Tracy Morgan was critically injured Saturday after the driver of a Walmart tractor-trailer that crashed into a limo bus he was riding in. The driver reportedly fell asleep behind the wheel, causing the deadly six-car pileup on the New Jersey Turnpike.

By staff Writer | Updated on June 09, 2014

Comedian Tracy Morgan was critically injured in a six-car pileup on the New Jersey Turnpike early Saturday morning when a Walmart tractor-trailer struck the limo bus he was riding in from behind. The crash also critically injured several passengers on the bus and killed fellow comedian James “Jimmy Mack” McNair. According to Boston.com, Kevin Roper, the driver of the tractor-trailer, reportedly had not slept for more than 24 hours at the time of the crash. Roper has been charged with vehicular homicide, assault, and reckless driving.

According to Boston.com, Roper dozed off behind the wheel of the 18-wheeler and apparently failed to slow for traffic, causing him to crash into Morgan’s vehicle. In response, groups are speaking out against an amendment that a Senate committee approved Thursday to restore older rest rules for commercial drivers, says Bloomberg Businessweek. The ammendment would restore the commercial trucking industry’s work week to 82 hours from the current 70 hours and take away a required 30-minute break during the first eight hours of a driving shift. The current rest rules were imposed last summer after years of increasing fatal truck accidents, says Businessweek.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free
PropertyCasualty360 Digital Reader.

INCLUDED IN A DIGITAL MEMBERSHIP:

  • All PropertyCasualty360.com news coverage, best practices, and in-depth analysis.
  • Educational webcasts, resources from industry leaders, and informative newsletters.
  • Other award-winning websites including BenefitsPRO.com and ThinkAdvisor.com.

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Recommended Stories

PropertyCasualty360

Join PropertyCasualty360

Don’t miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed decisions for your P&C insurance business. Join PropertyCasualty360.com now!

  • Unlimited access to PropertyCasualty360.com - your roadmap to thriving in a disrupted environment
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including BenefitsPRO.com, ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
  • Exclusive discounts on PropertyCasualty360, National Underwriter, Claims and ALM events

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join PropertyCasualty360

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.