VICTORIA Texas — Officials from a charter buscompany could not explain why they hired the driver now beinginvestigated in a fatal bus accident despite his three priorconvictions for drunken driving. Baltazar Flores Jr. of Houston-based Capricorn Bus Lines said yesterday the company doesnt hire unsafe drivers.But Flores could not say why the company hired 42-year-old RobertoGarcia Cruz of Houston. According to Texas Department of Public Safetyrecords Cruz has three convictions for drunken driving the last timein 2000.
Cruz was driving a charter bus back to Houston from Monterrey Mexicoearly Wednesday morning when he misjudged a curve and lost control ofthe vehicle near Victoria. The bus which was carrying 46passengers flipped on its side killing one man. A female passengerwhose arm was amputated after the wreck has filed a lawsuit.Cruz also did not have a license to drive a commercial vehicle outsideTexas. State records show hes also been convicted of two chargesdealing with assault. Capricorn manager Francisca Flores saidher company examines drivers records before theyre hired and has themundergo physicals and drug testing. But when repeatedly askedfor details about background checks the company performs she said:Theres other people in charge of that. Another Capricorn employee Flor Flores later said the company was unaware of Cruzs driving record.
From KSAT.com
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