Walmart pays $10 million settlement to children of “Jimmy Mack,” killed in 2014 NJ Turnpike crash

Walmart will pay out a $10 million settlement to the children of comedian James “Jimmy Mack” McNair, killed when a Walmart tractor trailer crashed into the SUV limo McNair was riding in last summer with Tracy Morgan and Ardie Fuqua along the New Jersey Turnpike.

The Associated Press reported the findings today from court papers.

The AP reports that the settlement — filed in Westchester County, New York’s Surrogate Court — will have McNair’s surviving children, Jamel McNair, 26, and Denita McNair, 19, putting some of the $10 million toward annuities that will pay them for the rest of their lives.

Walmart spokesman Randy Hargrove told The AP: “We are glad to have reached an agreement. … We deeply regret the loss of Mr. McNair and we worked closely with his family to insure their well-being.”

As for Morgan and Fuqua, their recoveries continue, albeit slowly.

The Comic’s Comic spoke with Fuqua back in December on his 44th birthday. Morgan, 46, wanted to attend last month’s Saturday Night Live 40th anniversary special but wasn’t well enough to. Morgan’s lawyer, Benedict Morelli, said Morgan had suffered a traumatic brain injury as well as broken bones.

“Tracy is working very hard to get better, physically, emotionally and mentally,” Morelli said today. “Because in all three areas he still has a struggle on his hands.”

Morgan, Fuqua and Morgan’s assistant, Jeffrey Millea, also have sued Walmart. Walmart’s driver in the crash, Kevin Roper of Georgia, has been charged with criminal charges that include vehicular homicide and assault by auto.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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