This Could Be The Reason For the Deadly Crash

Numerous sources are reporting that a driver who hadn't slept in over 24 hours is the cause of the accident that left Tracy Morgan in critical condition. On Saturday, truck driver Kevin Roper hit Tracy Morgan's tour limo bus, killing comedian James "Jimmy Mack" McNair and injuring seven others, including Morgan, who, along with fellow stand-ups Ardie Fuqua and Harris Stanton, had to be placed in the ICU, where he remains in stable condition.

The story is a horrifying one. While it remains to be seen whether or not SNL and 30 Rock alum Morgan and his fellow passengers will make full recoveries, authorities are investigating the reasons behind the deadly crash. Specifically, they have charged Roper, a driver for Wal-Mart, with "one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto".

Roper, who posted bail and was released from police custody Saturday night, had apparently been awake for 24 hours leading up to the crash, despite federal rules prohibiting truck drivers from being on the road without taking requisite 10-hour breaks between shifts.

According to scientific research, driving while tired is just as bad, if not worse, than drunk driving, and tired drivers are the cause of an estimated one out of every six car crashes.

Also notable: the bio on Roper's alleged Twitter page included the phrase "Move or Get Hit," a foreboding warning considering the weekend's events.

We wish speedy, full recoveries to Morgan, a father of four, as well as Fuqua, Stanton, and the rest of the passengers involved in the incident.