Investigations
Bus Company, Owner and Employee Indicted on Charges Related to a Fatal Bus Crash
USAO, Southern District of Texas - Press ReleaseSummary
On May 30, 2013, Angel De La Torre, Carlos Ortuno, and Angel Tours of Houston, Texas, were indicted in U.S. District Court, Houston, Texas, on charges of conspiracy, false statements, and operating a commercial motor vehicle after being placed out of service. The charges relate to an August 2008 fatal crash of an Angel Tours passenger bus near Sherman, Texas.
The indictment alleges that the defendants made false statements in an Application for Motor Carrier Authority, Form OP-1, and in an Application for U.S. DOT Number, Form MCS-150, filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). De La Torre and Angel Tours also allegedly operated a commercial motor vehicle after being placed out of service due to an unsatisfactory safety rating following an FMCSA inspection that uncovered numerous record keeping and safety violations. As a result of this inspection, FMCSA ordered Angel Tours to cease all interstate transportation on June 23, 2008; more than two weeks prior to the fatal crash.
We are investigating this case jointly with the FBI and FMCSA.
Note: Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the Government. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.