Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Tim Post
St. Paul, Minn.

Judge grants defense motion in Cottonwood bus crash

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

[image]

A judge will allow defense attorneys for Olga Franco, the woman accused of causing a fatal bus crash, to argue that her boyfriend was driving at the time of the accident.

District Judge David Peterson has essentially given Franco's attorneys the go-ahead to argue that she wasn't driving a van that crashed into a school bus near Cottonwood, Minn., earlier this year.

Defense attorneys have said they don't want to face a barrage of objections over that defense in front of jurors. The crash killed four school-aged children.

Franco's attorney Manuel Guerrero argues that his client's boyfriend, Francisco Mendoza, was driving at the time and fled the scene after the crash.

Guerrero says witnesses claim they saw Mendoza leave the scene. The judge has also ruled that Franco's attorneys can argue that flight is evidence of guilt.

Francisco Mendoza, a Mexican national, has not been found. Olga Franco, a native of Guatemala, was in the country illegally at the time of the crash. Her trial is scheduled to start on July 28 in Willmar.