Walmart has issued a statement responding to press reports about the Walmart truck driver, Kevin Roper, charged in the New Jersey freeway wreck that left one dead and actor Tracy Morgan in critical condition.
“With regards to news reports that suggest Mr. Roper was working for 24 hours, it is our belief that Mr. Roper was operating within the federal hours of service regulations. The details are the subject of the ongoing investigation and we are cooperating fully with the appropriate law enforcement agencies. The investigation is ongoing and unfortunately we can’t comment further on the specifics.
Federal law requires drivers to work no more than 14 hours for any shift and 11 hours of driving.”
These facts sheets did not include details reported by AP on accidents (380), injuries (129) and deaths (9) involving Walmart trucks over the last two years. The article also noted the company has a good record for miles driven and that its trucks have been equipped since 2010 with a radar system intended to slow the truck’s speed and notify the driver when traffic is stopped ahead, as was reportedly the case in Saturday night’s wreck.