Emergency response overhaul sought after Tracy Morgan crash

This morning we discussed a new report related to the Tracy Morgan auto crash, which was caused by a trucker who rear-ended Morgan’s limo while speeding in a construction zone.

According to Reuters, the NTSB’s review concluded that the driver of the semi, Kevin Roper, had driven 800 miles before even reaching Walmart’s distribution center and at the time of the crash, he had been up for 28 hours straight.

He was halfway through the 13th hour of his 14-hour shift when the crash occurred on the Turnpike, ABC news said.

Tracy Morgan, most notably known from the show 30 Rock, was one of the passengers injured in the limo van. Only one of the van’s occupants was wearing a seat belt, which contributed to Morgan’s severe injuries and McNair’s death.

The NTSB also released computer simulation of the crash from different angles showing the vehicles involved in the accident. He had worked for Wal-Mart for 15 weeks and had had nine “critical event reports”, causing him to lose his safety bonus, investigators said.

As a result of its investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Tuesday reiterated a 2010 recommendation to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to make fatigue management programs mandatory for all carriers.

“To its credit, Walmart has taken steps to bolster its driver fatigue education and policies since this crash”, Chairman Hart said. A sheet of plywood that had been added to the limo to separate the cab from passengers blocked occupants from escaping the vehicle through the front doors after the crash.

The NTSB also found issues with poor emergency response, which prompted a delay in taking victims to a local hospital.

The panel recommended that minimum training standards be implemented.

Morgan was left in a crucial situation whereas his comedy author James MCNair misplaced his life. Three other passengers in the limo suffered serious injuries.

The safety board has long raised concerns about operator fatigue leading to accidents across all modes of transportation, from airline pilots to train engineers. The “Saturday Night Live” star has not performed since the accident. Roper has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault by auto, and his attorney disputed that he had gone without sleep for 28 hours.