The trucker in the crash that critically injured comedian Tracy Morgan and killed his friend was indicted for aggravated manslaughter. Watch video
NEW BRUNSWICK -- A Middlesex County grand jury has charged Kevin Roper, the truck driver in the crash that critically injured comedian Tracy Morgan and killed another man, with aggravated manslaughter.
The grand jury handed up an indictment Wednesday that also charges Roper with vehicular homicide, and eight counts of aggravated assault.
Roper, who lives in Georgia, was driving a truck for Wal-Mart on June 7, 2014 when he allegedly crashed into a limousine van ferrying Morgan, Jimmy McNair and other friends of Morgan down the New Jersey Turnpike in Cranbury. McNair was killed in the crash; fellow comedians Ardie Fuqua, Harris Stanton and Morgan's assistant Jeff Millea were injured along with Morgan.
The indictment charges Roper with aggravated manslaughter for causing the death of McNair. The charge is first degree and could bring up to 30 years in prison if he is convicted.
The other charges pertain to McNair, Morgan and the other victims.
Authorities said Roper failed to see slow-moving traffic ahead of his rig as he passed through Cranbury, slamming into the rear of Morgan's van and causing a chain reaction involving four other vehicles, including another tractor-trailer.
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that Roper was speeding and had worked 13 hours straight before the crash.
A report by the New Jersey State Police indicated Roper had not slept for more than 25 hours before the accident.
Roper's attorney, David Glassman previously told Associated Press that the NTSB did not have all of the facts when it announced its findings.
Wal-Mart has settled Morgan's lawsuit for an undisclosed sum.
Glassman asked Superior Court Judge Michael Toto Tuesday to dismiss the original charges filed against his client after the crash--vehicular homicide and four counts of assault by auto.
The judge adjourned the hearing until Jan. 6, 2016 when Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Sheree Pitchford told him a grand jury had acted on Roper's case and the results were expected to be revealed Wednesday.
Sue Epstein may be reached at sepstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @susan_epstein. Find NJ.com on Facebook.