A five-vehicle accident on the New Jersey Turnpike Saturday, June 7, left local comedian James McNair dead and his friend, NBC icon Tracy Morgan, critically injured.
James McNair, 62, a Peekskill resident often known by the stage name Uncle Jimmy Mack, was the single fatality in the crash. McNair and Morgan were close friends who collaborating on comedy writing. McNair himself was an advocate for the local community, volunteering his time at local shelters and food pantries. According to The Journal News, funeral services will be held at the Paramount Theater of the Hudson Valley on Thursday, June 12 at 11 am.
News of Tracy Morgan’s involvement in the accident sent many loyal New Yorkers to the internet to express their emotions. A former “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” star, Morgan was born and raised in New York, giving him a loyal following that took to Twitter and other social media platforms to extend their well wishes.
The crash took place on the New Jersey Turnpike at around 1 am Saturday morning while Morgan and a group of friends were on their way back from a comedy performance. According to CNN, three others were injured and taken to the hospital. New Jersey State Police do not, at this moment, believe alcohol contributed to the crash, but suspect that sleep deprivation may have affected the truck driver who has been charged with McNair’s death.
