Comedian Tracy Morgan (Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock) is suing mega retailer Walmart after his limousine was struck from behind by a Walmart truck on a New Jersey highway in June. The driver was said to have been awake for more than 24 hours before the crash, causing him to fall asleep at the wheel. One passenger in Morgan’s car, James McNair, was killed. Morgan spent several weeks in rehab with rib and leg injuries.
Walmart has responded to the lawsuit that seeks a jury trial and punitive and compensatory damages claiming that the passengers’ injuries were caused “in whole or in part” by their “failure to properly wear an appropriate available seatbelt restraint device.” Regardless of the legal filing and threat of going to trial, Walmart (of the tagline “Save money. Live better”) will continue to make money off the talents of Morgan. The store sells more than 60 DVDs featuring Tracy Morgan including his most recently recorded standup routine, Bona Fide (available at Walmart for $12.71).
