Driver charged in Tracy Morgan’s accident due in court

 Kevin Roper is charged with death by auto and four counts of assault by auto. (AP Photo/New Jersey State Police)

Kevin Roper is charged with death by auto and four counts of assault by auto. (AP Photo/New Jersey State Police)

The truck driver charged in the fatal highway crash that also injured comedian Tracy Morgan and several other people is due for an initial court appearance.

Kevin Roper is to appear in state court in New Brunswick on Wednesday to face death by auto and assault by auto charges.

Roper was driving a Wal-Mart truck early Saturday morning when he allegedly swerved to avoid slowed traffic on the New Jersey Turnpike and plowed into Morgan’s limo.

The 45-year-old Morgan suffered broken ribs and a broken leg. His friend and fellow comedian James McNair was killed, and two other passengers were seriously injured.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Morgan underwent surgery for his broken leg and was in critical but stable condition Tuesday at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal