ABC/Lou Rocco(NEW JERSEY) — Kevin Roper, the Walmart truck driver who crashed into the limo van carrying comedian Tracy Morgan on the New Jersey Turnpike in June of 2014, accepted a plea deal Tuesday that allows him to enter a pre-trial intervention program.
If Roper successfully completes the program’s 300 hours of community service, all charges will be dismissed and he’ll avoid trial for the crash that killed Morgan’s friend, comedian James McNair and left the Saturday Night Live alum severely injured.
Roper had no record prior to the accident and was eligible for the non-prosecution diversion program as a first-time offender.
Roper’s defense attorney, David Glassman, told reporters outside the court house on Tuesday, “The fortunate thing about this is he can go forward with his life. If he completes the program, the charges will be extinguished and he won’t have a criminal record,” he said.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board, Roper had been awake for more than 28 hours prior to the collision and was driving 20 miles per hour above the speed limit.
McNair’s family and Morgan both sued Walmart, who settled both suits out of court for undisclosed terms.
Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
