Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has reached a settlement with the family of the comedian killed in the crash that seriously injured comedian Tracy Morgan, the retailer said.
James McNair was killed in the June 7, 2014, accident on the New Jersey Turnpike when a Wal-Mart driver, who began his shift after a 700-mile commute, allegedly fell asleep behind the wheel because of fatigue and ran into the limousine carrying Mr. McNair, Mr. Morgan and others.
The settlement, terms of which were not disclosed, was publicized Wednesday.
“We know there is nothing we can do to change what happened to Mr. McNair, but (Wal-Mart) and his family have worked closely together to reach an agreement,” Bentonville, Arkansas-based Wal-Mart said in a statement, adding that it “will continue to work to conclude all of the remaining issues, and we're committed to doing what's right.”
Litigation filed by Mr. Morgan and the other remaining plaintiffs in the case against Wal-Mart and its Wal-Mart Transportation L.L.C. subsidiary continues in U.S. District Court in Trenton, New Jersey.
The Wal-Mart Stores Inc. truck driver charged in connection with the fatal crash that also seriously injured comedian Tracy Morgan was working hours that were within federal guidelines to the company's knowledge, said the retailer, despite reports he had been driving for more than 24 hours, which is far beyond those guidelines.