| Bus in Texas Crash Not Licensed to Operate |
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A charter bus crash carrying a Vietnamese Catholic group to an annual religious event killed 17 members of a Houston church. Authorities said the vehicle's right front tire, which blew out, had been re-treaded in violation of safety standards.
In addition, records show the operator of the tour bus was not legally licensed and was deficient in insurance. With an application pending, with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has not approved the company for commercial operation. The driving record of the bus driver reveals that since 2001, 52-year-old Barrett Wayne Broussard, has been cited by police three times—once for driving while intoxicated and twice for speeding. In 2001, his license was suspended for nearly two months as a result of a DWI conviction in Harris County. With speeding violations in 2004 and 2007, Broussard also failed roadside inspections twice in the past year, both times resulting in his vehicle being taken out of service for driver logbook violations. The bus company, Iguala BusMex is the same owner as Angel Tours Inc., which was ordered to cease interstate operations by FMCSA after finding substantial noncompliance with safety regulations. Two years prior, compliance records show seven of 27 vehicles inspected were taken out of service, and six of 31 drivers were also removed from service. The Texas Department of Public Safety records revealed Angel Tours was twice cited in 2005 and 2008, for using drivers who weren't licensed for the type of vehicle they were driving. Another bus registered to the company, was taken out of service in Missouri because it failed an inspection. Federal officials say that Angel Tours and Iguala BusMex pose an ``imminent hazard'' and must immediately cease all commercial operation.
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