Morgan crash trucker was sleep-deprived

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – A truck driver accused of triggering a highway crash that injured Tracy Morgan and killed another comedian hadn’t slept for more than 24 hours before the accident, authorities said Monday as Morgan recovered in a hospital.

Wal-Mart truck driver Kevin Roper originally was expected to make an initial appearance in state court Monday, but a court official said the Jonesboro, Georgia, resident is scheduled in court Wednesday. He remained free after posting $50,000 bond.

Authorities said Roper, 35, apparently failed to slow for traffic ahead early Saturday in Cranbury Township and swerved at the last minute to avoid a crash. Instead, his big rig smashed into the back of Morgan’s chauffeured Mercedes limo bus, killing comedian James “Jimmy Mack” McNair, authorities said.

Morgan, 45, a former “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” cast member, remained in critical but stable condition Monday. Morgan’s spokesman, Lewis Kay, said he was “more responsive” after having surgery for a broken leg but faces an “arduous” recovery.