In the time since he was almost killed in a car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike, actor/comedian Tracy Morgan has been open about his recovery and the continuing impact the incident has on his life. In typical Morgan fashion, these conversations usually come through humor in his stand up routines.
In June 2014, the “30 Rock” star’s limo was hit by a Walmart truck. Morgan’s close friend, James McNair, was killed in the accident and other passengers were injured. Tracy suffered a broken leg and was left in a coma for two weeks. Per authorities, the truck driver “hadn’t slept in over 24 hours and if he hadn’t been speeding, would have been able to stop.”
As the 10 year anniversary of that tragic night came on Friday (June 7), the “SNL” alum reflected on how he feels about the situation now.
“Today is 10 years since our fateful accident, and I want to say to everyone who was in the van with me that night I Love you, and we miss you, Uncle Jimmy Mac and God bless your family,” Morgan told PEOPLE. “And to the driver that night and his family, me and my comrades forgive you.”
As honest as he’s been about the accident, there are likely parts of it that he will always keep to himself. But for him to offer public forgiveness to the driver is a beautiful act of kindness and grace. In his shoes, not everyone would be able to do that.
In the aftermath of the crash, “The Last O.G.” actor spent five months in a wheelchair and was forced to relearn how to walk and talk. As he returned to his career, the accident became a frequent source of humor in his comedy.
“When anything ever bad happened to me I made it funny and I turned it good,” he told PEOPLE in 2017. “This was a bad thing that happened to me. I wanted to tell my story, but I also want to continue my standup career because all the great things that ever happened to me in my life came through standup.”