Miguel Arriaga, Victor A. Garcia Obituary, Death – The Mississippi Highway Patrol announced that the seven individuals who died in a weekend bus crash in Mississippi were all from Mexico. The victims, who were identified Tuesday, include Miguel Arriaga, 61; Victor A. Garcia, 32; Moises A. Garcia, 31; Kain Gutierrez, 8; Perla Gutierrez, 16; Elia Guzman, 63; and Angelica Palomino, 16. Their hometowns have not been disclosed. It was confirmed by Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey that Kain and Perla Gutierrez were siblings.
In response to the tragedy, Alicia Bárcena, Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Relations, has extended condolences to the victims’ families and offered consular assistance.
The crash, which also resulted in injuries to approximately 36 other individuals, is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and the Mississippi Commercial Transportation Enforcement Division.
The incident occurred early Saturday when a 2018 Volvo bus operated by Autobuses Regiomontanos experienced a left front tire failure near Bovina, close to Vicksburg, Mississippi. The bus, traveling westbound on Interstate 20 from Atlanta to Dallas with 41 passengers and two drivers onboard, veered off the road and overturned onto its left side. According to NTSB member Todd Inman, no other vehicles were involved in the accident.
Six people were pronounced dead at the crash site, and another succumbed to injuries at a hospital. Thirty-six individuals were transported to hospitals by ambulance.
Investigators will examine several factors, including the condition of the bus and its tires, road conditions, the driver’s experience, the safety record of the carrier, and the safety measures in place for the passengers. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, while the full investigation could take up to two years, according to the NTSB.
Autobuses Regiomontanos, which operates cross-border trips between Mexico and the U.S., boasts 20 years of experience and a fleet of modern buses that undergo daily maintenance. The company’s website highlights its commitment to maintaining a modern fleet and providing special pricing for workers.