Comedian and actor Tracy Morgan was released from a rehabilitation center Saturday, following a critical accident involving a Wal-Mart truck last month. Now Morgan is bringing a lawsuit against Bentonville, Arkansas-based Wal-Mart.
A Wal-Mart semi-truck ran into the back of the limo bus that Morgan and his friends were in June 7, causing the vehicle to spin out of control and flip across a New Jersey turnpike.
The accident killed a fellow comedian and left other limo bus passengers in critical condition.
Morgan’s injuries included a broken leg and multiple broken ribs.
Although he has been released from the center, his recovery process isn’t over just yet.
Morgan will be continuing treatment at his home with an “aggressive outpatient program.” He has also requested that he have some privacy during this time.
The former 30 Rock actor is ready for Wal-Mart to face the consequences of what he believes was negligence on its part.
According to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in New Jersey on Thursday, Morgan believes Wal-Mart should have known that the driver had been awake for more than 24 hours and that the commute from his home in Georgia to work in Delaware was “unreasonable.”
The total distance between the two states comes in at more than 700 miles.
“As a result of Wal-Mart’s gross, reckless, willful, wanton, and intentional conduct, it should be appropriately punished with the imposition of punitive damages,” the complaint stated.
The actor wants punitive and compensatory damages.
Wal-Mart has been cooperative during this time and released a public statement saying it was willing to do whatever is right for those who were involved in the accident.
The company also has expressed that it was “deeply sorry” that one of its trucks caused the tragic accident.
Meanwhile, the truck’s driver has been charged with death by auto and assault by auto.
He recently pleaded not guilty to these charges.
The criminal complaint accuses the driver of not sleeping for 24 hours before he got behind the wheel of the massive vehicle, which is a violation of New Jersey law.
Whether or not he fell asleep at the wheel or was up for a full 24 hours has not been confirmed.
