Retail chain Walmart is allegedly placing the blame on comedian Tracy Morgan for injuries he suffered from a June car accident. According to TMZ, the company filed legal documents in which it states that Morgan's failure to wear a seatbelt is what caused most, if not all, of his injuries.
An investigation was launched into the crash and it's not clear if the former "30 Rock" star was strapped in or not. TMZ also reports that Walmart refused to comment on whether they believed the driver of the tractor trailer that hit Morgan's limousine was at fault.
Reportedly, the company wouldn't even say if Kevin Roper, the driver, was an employee at Walmart. In July, Morgan filed a lawsuit against the retail chain blaming their negligence for the accident that seriously injured him and killed his friend Jimmy Mack.
On June 7, the 45-year-old and his entourage were leaving an event and traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike when a Walmart tractor trailer struck Morgan's limousine from behind causing it to spin out of control.
Morgan and several others were rushed to a New Jersey hospital where the comedian had to undergo surgery for a broken leg. He also broke several ribs and his nose. In the suit, Morgan alleged that Walmart was negligent for allowing Roper to remain behind the wheel when he was reportedly lacking sleep.
An investigation into the crash by the National Transportation Safety Board found that Roper had been awake for more than 24 hours and was driving above the reduced speed limit in a construction zone. There were also reports that Roper fell asleep behind the wheel.
Reportedly, the driver realized at the last minute that traffic had slowed in front of him and swerved to avoid an accident. The Walmart truck struck the back of Morgan's limo-bus and sent the vehicle spinning out of control.
"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," Morgan's complaint read.
Update: A Walmart spokesperson issued a statement to HNGN.com via email and said, "Walmart filed its official response to the plaintiffs' lawsuit earlier today, and the company continues to stand willing to work with Mr. Morgan and the other plaintiffs to resolve this matter."
