Tracy Morgan better but ‘still struggling’ after crash, attorney says
Tracy Morgan may be doing better, but he’s still not doing great, his attorney said Monday.
Morgan is “still struggling,†attorney Benedict Morelli told Matt Lauer on the “Today†show. Morelli’s firm is representing Morgan and others in a lawsuit against Walmart, which employed Kevin Roper, the driver of the semi that rammed the performers’ limo van from behind as the group was going home from a performance in Delaware.
The comic and onetime “30 Rock†star is recovering from injuries suffered in a six-vehicle wreck June 7 in New Jersey, where he and two friends were seriously hurt and another friend, James McNair, was killed.
“The interesting thing is that at the beginning, the Internet was saying that [Morgan] was dead,†Morelli said. “And then they said they amputated his leg. Now it’s coming out that he’s doing great. None of those things are true or accurate.â€
Morgan was initially hospitalized in critical condition after suffering a broken nose, ribs and leg in the crash. He was moved about two weeks later to a rehab facility, and last month was spotted using a walker in New York City as he left a doctor’s office.
After moving slowly to his ride, accompanied by fiancee Megan Wollover and their baby daughter Maven, he flashed a peace sign and a small smile at onlookers from the passenger side of the SUV.
“I’m OK, I feel strong,†Morgan told photographers, perhaps sparking the notion that all was well.
The performer, who is diabetic, previously recovered from a kidney transplant.
Truck driver Roper has been charged with one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto; he has pleaded not guilty.
Morgan, Ardie Fuqua and Jeffrey and Krista Millea are suing Walmart in civil court, alleging negligence, as the company employed Roper and according to the lawsuit should have been aware that Roper had been awake for more than 24 hours before the accident and that the truck’s automatic emergency braking system was not working properly.
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