Van driver faces criminal charges and deportation
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The woman, who has given her name as Alianiss Nunez Morales, was pushed in a wheelchair into Lyon County District Court in Marshall. She was released from the hospital Thursday, and is recovering from injuries she suffered in the accident.
At the hearing, she revealed only a few details about her life. She said she worked at a cabinet shop in Cottonwood, lived in a trailer park in Minneota, and that she had an aunt and some cousins living in the Lyon County area.
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She spoke softly in a high-pitched voice, and used an interpreter to communicate with the judge. Just before the court appearance, Lyon County Attorney Richard Maes announced the charges.
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"The formal complaint that I filed in this matter contains six counts," said Maes. "Counts one through four are criminal vehicular homicide pertaining to the deaths that occurred as a result of the behavior in this matter."
During her court appearance, the judge asked Morales if her name is Alianiss Nunez Morales. She said it is. Federal officials, though, doubt the claim.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent Claude Arnold says Morales told authorities she's from Mexico. But Arnold says right now she is a mystery.
"Yesterday our agents developed probable cause that Miss Nunez Morales is in the country illegally, and that that is not her true identity," said Arnold.
"When she is released from the county's custody, she will be turned over to ICE and placed in deportation proceedings," Arnold added. "Based on the criminal charges filed today, however, that will not likely be for some time."
At the court hearing, Maes said ICE officials checked out Morales' background. They even showed a picture of her to the grandparents of a woman named Alianiss Nunez Morales in Puerto Rico. The grandparents said they didn't recognize the person in the Lyon County mug shot.
The criminal complaint reveals some new details about the bus crash. Morales was eastbound on County Road 24, and struck the bus as it headed south on highway 23.
Morales said she stopped at the stop sign at the intersection with Highway 23, then pulled onto the highway and was hit by the bus. The bus driver, though, said Morales didn't stop.
The bus driver also said it appeared Morales' Plymouth Voyager van went airborne as it crossed railroad tracks just before striking the bus. The force of the impact ripped the rear axle off the bus.
Also in the court documents, Morales said the day of the accident was the first time she drove that particular stretch of county road.
Funeral services have been announced for three of the four Lakeview students killed in the accident. Services for Emilee Olson, 9, of Cottonwood, are scheduled for Sunday. Funeral services for brothers Hunter and Jesse Javens will be held on Monday.
Arrangements for the fourth victim, Reed Stevens, 12, of Marshall, are pending.
