A New Jersey judge has put Tracy Morgan's negligence lawsuit against bosses at U.S. superstore Wal-Mart on a temporary hold as the driver accused of causing the comedian's horrific car crash last year (14) fights for a delay in court proceedings.

Kevin Roper was allegedly sleep-deprived at the time of the accident in New Jersey in June (14), when his Wal-Mart truck collided with the former 30 Rock star's limousine, leaving Morgan with severe injuries and killing his friend James 'Jimmy MACk' MCNair.

Morgan, who is still recovering, believes Roper's employers should be held responsible for the incident, but Roper, who is not named in the legal papers, fears the court fight could compromise his right to a fair trial as he faces criminal charges relating to the crash.

Roper's request for a delay has twice been denied, but now a judge has halted Morgan's lawsuit until another appeal is heard on 16 March (15).

The ruling means Wal-Mart chiefs will not have to respond to the negligence allegations until the appeal is over.

Roper has pleaded not guilty to one criminal count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto.

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