Walmart has awarded the children of the man killed in the Tracy Morgan car crash, which took place last June, $10 million. The settlement shows in court papers that the children of comedian James McNair will be receiving the funds.
According to The New York Times, documents show that Jamel McNair, 26, and Denita McNair, 19, are putting part of the payment toward annuities that will pay them ever-increasing monthly sums, beginning at $3,000, for the rest of their lives. It is unfortunate, however, that it had to be such an endowment under such tragic circumstances.
The figure of $10 million was disclosed in documents filed in Surrogate’s Court in Westchester County, where James McNair had lived before the June 7 car crash. What transpired on the day of the accident was a Walmart truck hit a limousine van that was driving Mr. Morgan, along with fellow comedian Mr. McNair back home from a show in Delaware.
Tracy Morgan, a former cast member of NBC’s mainstay comedy variety show and cultural phenomenon “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” has been so badly injured from the crash that he has yet to make a public appearance, even to show up to SNL’s 40th Anniversary special, earlier this year. He says that he has been too choked up to watch the special, at this time.
His lawyer, Benedict Morelli, said that the injuries he sustained could be described as “traumatic brain injury.” Mr. Morgan also suffered broken bones in addition to the severe head trauma. According to insiders, he is taking great efforts to recover, though he is still not entirely himself again.
Mr. Morelli said on Friday, “Tracy is working very hard to get better, physically, emotionally and mentally. Because in all three areas he still has a struggle on his hands.”
Along with Mr. Morgan, two other passengers have sued Walmart in the wake of the crash. Truck driver, Kevin Roper, has been charged with death by auto and other offenses in New Jersey state court but has not yet been indicted.
After seeking to maintaining the confidentiality of the settlement amount, court papers revealed the amount being awarded to the children of comedian McNair.
A Walmart spokesman, Randy Hargrove, shared that the company could not discuss the terms, “but are glad to have reached an agreement,” to which he added, “We deeply regret the loss of Mr. McNair, and we worked closely with his family to insure their well-being.”
A tragic loss for all that hopes to be repaired in the coming years.
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