Driver in Arizona immigrant death crash charged
Tue Aug 12, 5:57 PM ET
PHOENIX, Arizona (AFP) - The Mexican driver of a vehicle that overturned in Arizona last week leaving nine illegal immigrants dead and 10 injured will face a criminal prosecution, authorities said Tuesday.
The Justice Department said in a statement that Ivan Guzman-Ochoa, 32, of Sonora, Mexico has been arrested and charged with transporting illegal aliens following the crash on a stretch of desert highway on August 7.
If convicted Guzman-Ochoa faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 250,000 dollars.
Last week's crash occurred near the town of Florence, 63 miles (100 kilometers) southeast of Phoenix at around 8:30 am (1530 GMT), when a GMC four-wheel drive vehicle driven by Guzman-Ochoa flipped over.
Television footage of the wreckage showed the roof covering the rear end of the vehicle almost crushed flat.
The incident revived memories of a June 2006 accident, where nine illegal immigrants among 20 people crammed into a Chevrolet Suburban sport-utility vehicle died following a chase with police near the town of Yuma, Arizona.
The Mexican driver of the vehicle was jailed for life in May after being found guilty of multiple counts of transportation of illegal aliens resulting in death.
