Accident investigators are looking into what role the work commute of the driver charged in the accident that injured comedian Tracy Morgan played in the fatal crash on the New Jersey Turnpike, according to Reuters.
Wal-Mart driver Kevin Roper, who pleaded not guilty to death by auto and assault by auto charges Wednesday, lived in Georgia, but his job was based in Delaware, NTSB spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said, Reuters reported.
The 45-year-old Morgan suffered a broken femur, a broken nose and several broken ribs, according to Reuters. His friend and fellow comedian James McNair was killed, and two other passengers were seriously injured. Another passenger was treated and released from the hospital Saturday, and the limo driver and one more passenger weren't injured.
Morgan underwent surgery for his broken leg and remained in critical but stable condition, Reuters reported.
A criminal complaint alleges that the 35-year-old Roper, of Jonesboro, Georgia, hadn't slept for more than 24 hours before the accident when he allegedly swerved to avoid slowed traffic on the turnpike and plowed into Morgan's limo on Saturday morning, according to Reuters.
Wal-Mart has not explained what Roper's driving route was, but the company has said it believes he was in compliance with federal safety regulations, Reuters reported. Roper's bail was kept at $50,000.
Roper and his attorney, David Glassman, refused to answer reporters' questions after the hearing about whether Roper was the author of tweets from a Twitter account bearing his name and featuring his picture and calling reports of his not having slept for 24 hours before the accident "complete BS!," according to Reuters.
A conviction on a death by auto charge carries a five-to-10-year prison sentence and each assault by auto charge is punishable by up to 18 months in prison, Reuters reported.
