Tracy Morgan, Ardie Fuqua and Harris Stanton injured, “Jimmy Mack” killed in fatal car accident on New Jersey Turnpike

Horrible news.

One man is dead and four others are in critical condition following a multi-car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike overnight. Police identified James McNair, 63, of Peekskill, N.Y., as the first victim from the crash, which involved two tractor trailers, an SUV, two cars and a limo van that was carrying comedians Tracy Morgan, Harris Stanton and Ardie Fuqua.

JimmyMack_JamesMcNair

McNair, a close comedy friend of Morgan’s, was more commonly known to comedians, comedy fans and churchgoers as “Jimmy Mack.” He also hosted The Original Uncle Jimmy Mack’s Amateur Hour. Here is a clip of Jimmy Mack from 2010 called “Hood to the Good Part 1.” Roll it.

Mack was a mentor to Morgan and wrote with him. Here is a clip of Mack opening for Morgan at Caroline’s on Broadway from December 2011:

New Jersey State Police said their preliminary investigations determined that a tractor trailer rear-ended slow-moving traffic around 1 a.m. today, in the northbound lanes near Exit 8A in Cranbury, N.J.

Morgan, the 45-year-old star from Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock and an upcoming sitcom on FXx, was listed this morning in critical condition and in intensive care at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J. Hospital officials this morning upgraded the condition of one of the four patients to fair, the other three (Morgan and his assistant, Jeff Millea, included), in critical. All of the injured were riding in the van.

No word on the condition of Stanton or Fuqua.

Although the silence on Fuqua’s social media feeds is deafening this morning.

Anyone who knows the energetic, charismatic Fuqua — a regular opener on the road for Morgan and in New York City at the Comedy Cellar and other clubs — knows he loves to share all of his ups and downs with friends both old and new.

Just after the show at Dover Downs Casino last night in Dover, Del., Fuqua posted this photo to Instagram, writing: “This is what it looks like from the stage to see a standing ovation from 1500 people. Then we traveled back to NYC in style in a luxury Mercedes Sprinter. Road life is a good life! #tracymorgan”

Here is raw footage this morning from NBC10 in Philadelphia, showing a Sam’s Club tractor trailer and the comedians’ overturned limo van:

I’ll keep you updated as I learn more.

A statement this morning from Morgan’s reps: “Tracy remains in critical condition at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. He sustained these injuries in an accident that occurred early this morning as one of several passengers in a chauffeured SUV returning from a tour date in Delaware. His family is now with him and he is receiving excellent care. We don’t anticipate much of a change in his condition today but will provide a further update once more information becomes available.”

Morgan’s ex-wife and mother to three of his children, Sabrina Morgan, told the New York Daily News that Tracy Morgan had suffered a broken leg, but that doctors anticipated his recovery.

Stanton reportedly suffered a broken wrist and has left the hospital.

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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35 thoughts on “Tracy Morgan, Ardie Fuqua and Harris Stanton injured, “Jimmy Mack” killed in fatal car accident on New Jersey Turnpike

  1. Unconfirmed word that Ardie Fuqua is in critical condition and Harris Stanton left the hospital.

  2. I’m a trucker and I’m saddened and angered about this. Tracy is a great guy and that stupid trucker ruined the life of everyone involved. There never ever is an excuse for rear-ending people. I hope the victims sue the pants off the company.

    1. Ever hear of a accident ?!? I hope everyone involved make’s a speedy recovery . Nobody as of yet knows for sure what happened … Sad either way .

      1. @Samantha. Accident? An accident is when I drop my dogs bowl of water, not fall asleep behind the wheel and kill and maim people!! I do believe truckers are pressured to make deliveries on time, but as an adult he had the responsibility to pull over to a truck stop and take a nap. We all know when we get so tired we start to nod off. Responsibility HAS to be taken by both the trucker and companies putting their drivers on unrealistic schedules.

    2. I agree. To many stupid drivers. It was a walmart driver… Wow they’re suppose to be the best of the best. Accident yeah we’ve heard of them. But let’s learn to pay fuckin attention and not hit shit!!

      1. I agree, Jeff. Sorry, but the “ever heard of an accident” person needs to get real! When you’re driving a freaking tractor trailer, you should be extra cautious regarding your surroundings. Hell, I’m extra cautious and I drive a regular vehicle. Other people on the road can be idiots, so you have to watch out for yourself and try to anticipate the worse that may happen around you as well. That should be even more true when driving a tractor trailer because the potential damage is so much greater. Plus, these guys were hit from behind. Hitting someone from behind usually implies that you were following too close or going too fast to stop in time if the vehicle stops short in front of you for some reason. Most “accidents” can actually be prevented if people paid closer attention to what they’re doing and/or stopped speeding like a bat out of hell.

        1. I agree. My mom always taught me to drive for everyone else, not just myself. One of the best pieces of driving advice. I have avoided countless accidents. There is a thing called a “space cushion”. What happened to that? People tailgate like crazy, smh.

    3. i also said the same thing about them to sue wal-mart, lord knows that greedy company can loose a few couple of mill.

    4. Damn Wal-Mart! I guess they will have to wait to sell the crappy products in that truck. RIP Jimmy. Good luck to the survivors.

    5. OK so let’s ” hang” a guilty verdict on the guy without knowing the full story!

  3. James McNair aka Jimmy mack was my father, he was a phenomenal man who had such a major impact on soo many many people’s lives its hard to even believe… he was so humble and generous and he loved to see people doing their best and living their dreams! He made me the man iam today its because of him! I love you daddy with all my heart .. if anyone wishes to contact my family or myself feel free to reach out my Twitter is @_kingshyne thank you all for your support and love

    1. No trace of racial indifference. Welove and respect Tracy Morgan and friends in the traffic wreck… thoughts to you and family.. one funny dude… prayers to you my friend and equal. Mark Seay
      Hope to see you some day, your talent is unparalleled.. thx

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