Tracy Morgan and Walmart have reached a settlement in the suit Morgan filed against the corporate giant over the New Jersey highway accident in June 2014 that killed one man and severely injured Morgan and two others.
Details of the settlement have not been disclosed.
“Walmart did right by me and my family, and for my associates and their families,” Morgan said in a statement. “I am grateful that the case was resolved amicably.”
Greg Foran, Walmart U.S. president and CEO, said in a statement, “Our thoughts continue to go out to everyone that was involved in the accident. 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 Mr. 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.”
“Walmart and I worked diligently to reach this settlement for the plaintiffs and their families,” Morgan’s lawyer Benedict Morelli added. “Walmart took full responsibility for the accident, which we greatly appreciate.”
A Walmart truck driven by employee Kevin Roper slammed into the back of a limo containing Morgan and several others on the New Jersey Turnpike after Morgan finished a show. Morgan’s friend and fellow comedian Jimmy McNair was killed in the accident.
Morgan suffered broken ribs, a broken leg, a broken nose and severe head trauma. His Morelli said late last year that he was “still fighting and trying to live his life.”
Morgan filed the suit last year with fellow crash survivors Jeffrey Millea, wife Krista and Ardie Fuqua. They alleged that Walmart allowed Roper to drive after being “awake for more than 24 consecutive hours.” According to the suit, this caused Roper to fall asleep at the wheel and strike the vehicle, which also resulted in a six-car accident.
Roper has pleaded not guilty to several criminal charges, including death by auto. He was not named as a defendant in Morgan’s suit.
In March, Walmart agreed to pay a $10 million settlement to the two children of McNair.
In September, Morgan publicly slammed Walmart after the company said in a complaint that the accident was “caused, in whole or in part, by plaintiffs’ failure to properly wear an appropriate available seat belt restraint device.”
“I can’t believe Walmart is blaming me for an accident that they caused,” the comedian said in a statement at the time. “My friends and I were doing nothing wrong.”
Morgan has not made public appearances since the accident. He hoped to attend “Saturday Night Live’s” 40th anniversary show in February, but was unable to go.
Source: Variety
