Tracy Morgan has been released from a rehabilitation facility as he heals from serious injuries he suffered in a car crash that left Tracy’s friend, another comedian dead.
And now he’s going to sue the retail giant, as he should.
Lawyers for Morgan filed a lawsuit against WalMart in U.S. District Court in New Jersey, claiming the retailer was negligent when a driver of one of its trucks rammed into Morgan’s limousine van.
“As a result of WalMart’s gross, reckless, willful, wanton, and intentional conduct, it should be appropriately punished with the imposition of punitive damages. Walmart should have known that its driver had been awake for over 24 hours and that his commute of 700 miles from his home in Georgia to work in Delaware was unreasonable.” It also alleges the driver fell asleep at the wheel. The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and punitive and compensatory damages.
In a statement issued Saturday, WalMart said that it was “cooperating fully” in the ongoing investigation. “We know it will take some time to resolve all of the remaining issues as a result of the accident, but we’re committed to doing the right thing for all involved,” WalMart said.
Truck driver Kevin Roper, 35, of Jonesboro, Georgia, has pleaded not guilty to death by auto and assault by auto charges. A criminal complaint also accuses him of not sleeping for more than 24 hours before the crash, a violation of New Jersey law.