Settlement Awarded to Victims of Charter Bus Crash

By Andrew Weatherford

Published on December 28, 2008

A $10 million settlement has been awarded to victims of a January 2008 charter bus crash, in a personal injury settlement that was made public last Wednesday.

At about 4:15 a.m. on the morning of January 2nd, Roberto Garcia Cruz fell asleep while driving a chartered bus from Monterey, Mexico to Houston, Texas. The bus rolled over onto its side, killing one passenger and injuring dozens more. The crash occurred near Victoria, Texas.

Pedro Mendez, a 55-year-old man from Houston, was killed in the crash. Carlos Rodriguez, 55, of Victoria, sustained serious back injuries and another passenger, Bernarda Pena of Houston, lost her right arm.

A total of 44 passengers filed personal injury lawsuits against Houston-based Capricorn Bus Lines, International Charter Services, and Transportes Chavez. The companies were found to be negligent in their hiring and testing of Mr. Cruz, and for allowing him to drive while fatigued.

Authorities said that Mr. Cruz was not properly licensed and had been convicted of driving under the influence several times in the past, although he was sober at the time of the crash.

$4.3 million was awarded to the family of the deceased man, and $5.7 million was divided among the other 44 passengers.

The settlement was filed on December 11th.

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