(CNN) A Georgia truck driver has been charged in connection with the wreck on the New Jersey Turnpike that left comedian actor Tracy Morgan in critical condition and another man dead the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement released Saturday.
Kevin Roper 35 of Jonesboro has been charged with one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto after the tractor trailer he was driving crashed into the limo bus carrying the comedian and others the statement said.
Initial reports indicated there were seven people injured in the crash but the prosecutor's statement put the number at four.
Morgan's condition was not expected to change Saturday publicist Lewis Kay said. His family is now with him and he is receiving excellent care.
Morgan 45 was a regular on Saturday Night Live for seven years and received an Emmy nomination for his role on 30 Rock in which he played Tracy Jordan an exaggerated version of himself.
The New York City native made his reputation with over the top characters and impressions of celebrities such as Mike Tyson and Oprah Winfrey.
The wreck occurred at about 1 a.m. ET on Saturday on the turnpike in Mercer County said Sgt. Gregory Williams of New Jersey State Police.
NJSP says the driver of the tractor trailer failed to observe slow moving traffic ahead Williams said. At the last minute he swerved to try and avoid the Mercedes limo bus but struck it from behind forcing the limo to rotate and overturn.
A limo passenger 63 year old James McNair of Peekshill New York was killed and three people besides Morgan were taken to the hospital authorities said.
Actor Tracy Morgan in critical condition Actor Tracy Morgan is in critical condition after a six vehicle accident in New Jersey early Saturday June 7 authorities said. The former Saturday Night Live cast member and 30 Rock star was riding in a limo bus when the accident occurred. Morgan got his start as a stand up comedian working at Harlem's Apollo Theater before landing his gig with Saturday Night Live. He was a cast member from 1996 until 2003. In the October 3 1998 Big Bernard skit Morgan performs with basketball star Shaquille O'Neal. Tracy Morgan with Maya Rudolph in the On The Subway skit on April 13 2002. In 2003 Morgan left SNL to start The Tracy Morgan Show but it ran for only one season before it was canceled. Morgan's acting career branched out from television to include movie titles such as 30 Years To Life. Director Vanessa Middleton left appeared with Allen Payne and Morgan at the premiere on March 27 2002. Actor Tracy Morgan and his wife Sabina pose on the red carpet during the premiere of Are We There Yet at the Mann Village on January 9 2005 in Los Angeles. The couple divorced in 2009 after 23 years of marriage. Tracy Morgan and Tina Fey worked together after SNL on the show 30 Rock. Morgan played Tracy Jordan a character that was loosely based on himself. Members of the cast of 30 Rock joke around with their award for outstanding comedy series backstage at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on September 21 2008. Morgan was also nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Morgan starred with Bruce Willis in the 2010 movie Cop Out. Morgan has stirred up controversy with some of his comments in his comedy acts. I hurt people with this so from the bottom of my heart I apologize to everybody who I offended with my words on stage he said in 2011 after an anti gay rant in one of his shows. Stand up comedy should heal people not hurt. Tracy Morgan promotes his new book I Am The New Black at Barnes Noble Union Square on October 22 2009 in New York City. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Photos Tracy Morgan's comedy careerMcNair was a comedian who performed under the name Jimmy Mack said his sister Valerie Daniel. He spoke very highly of Tracy she told CNN. They go way back.
The prosecutor's statement said Morgan and two others whose identities have not been formally released remain hospitalized in critical condition. The remaining passenger was treated at the hospital and was released the statement said.
Four other vehicles subsequently were involved in the crash the prosecutors said.
The prosecutor's statement said people in the other vehicles were not injured. It was unclear whether Roper was injured.
Williams said he does not believe alcohol played a role in the accident but that is under investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate safety issues related to commercial trucking and limousine safety said agency spokesman Keith Holloway.
Christopher Thompson spokesman for limo owner Atlantic Transportation Services said driver Tyrone Gale who is part owner of the company was shaken up.
Although the investigation is still pending we concur with the preliminary reports that the accident was caused by another vehicle traveling behind the Atlantic limo bus and we are grateful that our drivers did not sustain life threatening injuries Thompson said.
Morgan performed a comedy tour act Friday night at the Dover Downs Hotel Casino in Dover Delaware the venue said.
Thompson said he thought the limo bus was heading to drop Morgan off in New Jersey.
The actor received messages of support and concern on Twitter.
Wishing a speedy recovery to our friend RealTracyMorgan tweeted SNL Weekend Update.
Shocked to wake up and read that RealTracyMorgan is injured. Love to Tracy and wishing him strength said former SNL cast member Rachel Dratch.
My thoughts are with Tracy Morgan and his family. I hope he pulls through this soon and gets back to making us laugh said Joan Rivers.
Saying a prayer for RealTracyMorgan said actor director Jon Favreau.
Come on RealTracyMorgan pull through this buddy tweeted actor Ike Barinholtz of The Mindy Project.
Funny man Tracy Morgan has known fame and foibles
CNN's Rachel Wells Suzanne Presto Carma Hassan and Alexandra Field contributed to this report. CNN first learned of the accident from multiple Twitter users.
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