iradiophilly | News - Driver in Morgan Crash Hadn't Slept 24 hours; Marijuana Bill Moves Forward; I-95 Construction Starts

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Driver in Morgan Crash Hadn't Slept 24 hours; Marijuana Bill Moves Forward; I-95 Construction Starts

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 06/09/14 9:32 pm | updated: 06/09/14 9:33 pm

The Walmart truck driver who crashed his rig into the back of a limo bus carrying comedian Tracy Morgan and 6 others hadn't slept for at least 24 hours. 35-year-old Kevin Roper of Jonesboro, GA, did not see the slow moving traffic ahead of him until the last minute. His truck hit the limo bus which caused it to flip. Four other vehicles were also involved. Morgan and two others are still in critical condition and remain hospitalized. Another injured passenger was released on Sunday. Comedian James "Jimmy Mack" McNair, 69, was killed in the crash. Morgan suffered a broken femur, nose, and ribs. He is â€œmore responsiveâ€ after having surgery on his broken leg. The actor is expected to remain in the hospital for several more weeks. Roper is charged with death by auto and four counts of assault by auto. He will appear in court on Wednesday. Drivers can only work 14-hour shifts with 11 hours of it behind a wheel and 10 hours off between shifts to sleep. They are required to keep a log of all time driving and sleeping.

UPDATE: He did not have an amputation.

SEE ALSO: Comedian Tracy Morgan in Critical Condition After Accident on New Jersey Turnpike; Driver Charged.

A Philadelphia City Council committee approved a bill today that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. Authored by Councilman Jim Kenney, the bill would make possession of less than 30 grams or about an ounce of marijuana a â€œcode violationâ€ punishable by a $25 fine. The police officer would issue a ticket and the fine would be paid like a traffic ticket, although the officer could still arrest using their own discretion. Supporters of the bill praise it for reducing the number of damaging arrest records that hurt many young people, not to mention bog down the courts. However, some worry officers still having that discretion to arrest, it might not be uniformly enforced, creating an unfair situation. The bill will now go to the full council on June 19th.

A major construction project on I-95 in Philadelphia was set to begin tonight, but the threat of weather has postponed that start to Wednesday night at 10pm. The project's set to improve and widen a stretch of the northbound section of the highway from Race Street to Allegheny Avenue. It is the second phase of a $211.7 million PennDOT project. They are widening the roadway to accommodate more traffic. They'll also be rebuilding ramps at the Girard Ave exit, replacing bridges, walls, and signage. Expect crews to be working from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each weeknight with lane closures and slowdowns during the overnight hours. Work will start on the southbound lanes next week. (see graphic below of construction)

Tonight
Cloudy chance of showers of thunderstorms, temperatures in the 70's this evening in Center City

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by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA | responded: 06/09 9:33 pm

I-95 Construction, Race Street to Allegheny Avenue

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