Tracy Morgan “More Responsive” After Surgery: Spokesman

Former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Tracy Morgan remains in critical condition, but has been improving following Saturday's deadly six-car crash on the New Jersey Turnpike that left two others critically injured and another man dead.

The 45-year-old actor and comedian was "more responsive" Sunday after having surgery for a broken leg, spokesman Lewis Kay said in a statement.

"While Tracy remains in critical condition, he has been more responsive today, which is an incredibly encouraging sign," Kay said.

Kay said that Morgan, who was airlifted to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, sustained a broken femur, broken nose and several broken ribs and is expected to remain hospitalized for "several weeks." He said that the comedian's family is "tremendously overwhelmed and appreciative of the outpouring of love and support from his fans."

Morgan was traveling with six other people -- two limo bus drivers and four friends -- after a stand-up show at Dover Downs Casino in Dover, Delaware on Friday evening.

Kevin Roper, 35, was driving a Walmart big rig on the turnpike when he failed to notice traffic slowing down in front of him. Roper smashed into the back of the the limo that Morgan was riding in, killing comedian James "Jimmy Mack" McNair, authorities said.

The force of the collision flipped the limo bus, sending it sliding into several other vehicles.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by NBC News, Roper hadn't slept for more than 24 hours at the time of the crash.

The crash happened about 15 miles north of Trenton near Exit 8A of the Turnpike in Cranbury, N.J.

Limo driver Tyrone Gale said it was a "great day turned tragic in seconds."

"I was face down on the asphalt. It was unreal. I didn't know what happened. Shattered glass and things like that. It all happened so fast," he told NBC10.com after being released from the hospital on Saturday.

Walmart President and CEO Bill Simon expressed his sympathies to the victims of the crash.

"The facts are continuing to unfold. If it's determined that our truck caused the accident, Walmart will take full responsibility," Simon said.

Roper, of Jonesboro, Georgia, was charged with one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said in a news release. Roper, accompanied by his attorney, turned himself in to state police. He was released on $50,000 bail Saturday night.

Fans and celebrities took to social media and posted messages using the hashtag #PrayersForTracyMorgan to offer their support to Morgan.

Fellow travelers Jeffrey Millea, of Shelton, Connecticut, and comedian Ardie Fuqua Jr. were listed in critical condition along with Morgan at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, hospital spokeswoman Zenaida Mendez said Sunday, The Associated Press reported. Another comedian, Harris Stanton, was treated and released from the hospital Saturday.

Roper is expected to appear in court Monday.

Pictured: Kevin Roper is the tractor-trailer driver who was charged in the fatal accident involving comedian Tracy Morgan. 


Contact Sarah Glover at 610-668-5580, sarah.glover@nbcuni.com or follow @skyphoto on Twitter.

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