U.S. actor Tracy Morgan;s condition upgraded to fair after wreck

USPA News - The condition of U.S. comedian-actor Tracy Morgan has been upgraded from critical to fair more than a week after he was injured in a multi-vehicle accident in New Jersey, his publicist said on Monday, calling it a "great improvement." "[I`m] happy to pass along that Tracy has been upgraded to fair condition, which is a great improvement. His personality is certainly starting to come back as well," publicist Lewis Kay said in an emailed statement.

He added that the condition of Morgan`s assistant, Jeff Millea, had also been upgraded from critical to fair. Morgan, 45, has remained at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick with his fiancée Megan by his side since the accident on the New Jersey Turnpike in Cranbury Township on June 7. The actor sustained a number of injuries, including a broken leg, a broken femur, a broken nose and several broken ribs. Kay had already indicated on Thursday night that Morgan`s condition, while still critical at the time, had stabilized with continuing signs of improvement. "His medical team remains optimistic that his recovery is progressing. Megan remains by his side and is relaying the countless good wishes and prayers that his family, friends and fans have been sending their way," the publicist said on Thursday. The June 7 accident happened when Walmart truck driver Kevin Roper, 35, of Jonesboro, Georgia, crashed his tractor-trailer into a 2012 Mercedes Sprinter limo bus that was carrying Morgan, who was returning from a comedy tour in Delaware, and several others. The accident also involved four other vehicles, but none of the occupants of those vehicles were injured. 62-year-old comedian James "Jimmy Mack" McNair of Peekskill, New York, who was one of the passengers in the limo bus, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Morgan and two other passengers, including Millea, were critically injured while a fifth passenger was treated and released within hours. Roper has been charged with one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto in connection with the fatal accident, which allegedly occurred after Roper had not slept for more than 24 hours. Walmart, however, said it believes the driver was operating within the federal hours of service regulations that require drivers to work no more than 14 hours for any shift and no more than 11 hours of driving without rest. Roper was released on $50,000 bail pending the outcome of the investigation. In the hours after the June 7 accident, Walmart U.S. President and CEO Bill Simon had said the company would take "full responsibility" if the investigation determines that the Walmart truck caused the accident. "We can`t change what happened, but we will do what`s right for the family of the victim and the survivors in the days and weeks ahead," he said. Morgan is best known for his eight seasons as a cast member on `Saturday Night Live` and for his role as Tracy Jordan on the TV series `30 Rock.`