Bus driver charged in 23 deaths during evacuation (Hurricane Rita)

[Catherine Vincent]

Bus driver charged in 23 deaths during evacuation
Associated Press

DALLAS — The driver of the bus that caught fire while carrying elderly patients fleeing Hurricane Rita has been charged with criminal negligent homicide in the deaths of 23 passengers, a spokesman for the Dallas County Sheriff's Department said today.

The charges against Juan Robles Gutierrez, a 37-year-old Mexican national, were forwarded to District Attorney Bill Hill, Sgt. Don Peritz said. Hill's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Robles was taken into federal custody on an immigration violation five days after the Sept. 23 explosion near Dallas.

Peritz would not give specific examples of illegal actions by Robles, saying details would be released if he is indicted.

"The bus is under his care, custody and control and so is everyone on board," he said. "Safe transportation from the nursing home to the final destination is his responsibility. Based on the end result, he failed in that responsibility."

more......
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory/33999...

[Fleshdancer]

1. why the driver and not the company?

This makes no sense to me.

[Horse with no Name]

3. Because it was a Texas Republican that owned the bus--

James Harold Maples. It was a Texas Republican that allowed an unregistered bus on the road--Rick Perry.
So obviously some lowly peon is going to take the fall--Juan Robles.
What? You didn't get the memo?

[Fleshdancer]

5. I should have known.

I'm actually surprised that they're not blaming the elderly victims who died...because they're the ones with the oxygen tanks, right? They LOVE to blame the victims after all.

[Catherine Vincent]

4. That's what I'm wondering.

So if the driver had been able to free all the passengers off the bus, and then the bus would blow up, it would still be the driver's fault?

[xultar]

2. His bus wasn't registered. They knew it. No need to hang him.

Hang Perry who allowed non registered busses on the roads.

[Mind_your_head]

6. See, Juan didn't sign the right contract

that absolved him from 'all & any responsiblity' should something go wrong during the drive.

That's what happens when you don't learn any lessons from Halliburton of 'how it's done'. That's why (probably) he's on the 'poor' side and was just trying to do the right thing getting some old folks outta harms way before a disaster strikes is 'wrong headed' without the proper protection. He shoulda just been out for himself....cause see what happens when you try and help others in a common sense way????

wet, heavy, dripping

on edit: Juan wasn't responsible for certifying the bus. I understand that that bus was sub-standard....yet he was told he could take it anyway (someone gave him the keys, yes?)

[NoPasaran]

7. More on the coffin on wheels

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestne...

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestne...