Crash Suspect Interviewed

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Crash Suspect Interviewed

23-year-old Alianiss Nunez Morales in this photo provided by the Lyon County Sheriff's Office.

By Drew Sandholm

Story Created: Feb 23, 2008 at 10:31 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 23, 2008 at 10:34 PM CDT

She calls herself 'Alianiss Nunez Morales,' but authorities say that's not her name and that she's in the country illegally.

Investigators say 'Morales' smashed a van into the side of a Lakeview school bus Tuesday night.


The van, which 'Morales' had been driving.

The accident sent 'Morales' to the hospital, which is where troopers made first contact with the woman. KSFY has obtained a transcript of that conversation and has included part of it here:

Trooper: Can you ask her if she has a Minnesota driver's license please?

Interpreter: No.

Trooper: Any driver's license?

Interpreter: No.

Trooper: Can you ask her what happened? Does she remember what happened?

Interpreter: Yes. She said she remembers.

Trooper: Okay. Can she tell us?

Interpreter: I was driving to the cabinet. At the beginning, she told me I was driving. She did her stop and then when she started moving and she started driving, seen a bus came in... and that's when the crash.


23-year-old 'Alianiss Nunez Morales.'

'Morales'' statement seems to conflict with what other witnesses told investigators, but Saturday Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Brian West told KSFY that the investigation continues.

At this time, 'Morales' remains in Lyon County jail awaiting her next court date.

Questions? Comments? News tips?
Contact Drew Sandholm directly by phone at (605) 373-7372 or by e-mail.

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Tuesday, Feb 26 at 11:44 AM patty wrote ...

i'm not sure what to say except my heartfelt sympathy to all involved and who all helped. I cant help but wonder how i would really feel if i lost someone or knew the responsible party, whether friend or family. it is easy for us to judge when we don't know the entire story and facts. when my nephew was killed on the farm when he was 4 yrs. old, lots of rumors and speculation and they didnt even come close to the truth. should we judge?

Tuesday, Feb 26 at 9:48 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Who owns the vehicle? If this woman has never had a drivers license then who allowed her to drive the van? Should that person also hold some accountability?

Monday, Feb 25 at 5:45 PM Bobby wrote ...

Believe it or not I feel for all parties involved. No doubt,Morales or whatever her name is, did not want to kill people. Having said that, Americans are largely to blame because they will not pour some coffee into themselves, wake -up and do whatever it takes to FORCE their politicians to put oa stop to illegal immigration. This is the kind of stuff that happens when people drive illegally, when they have never had lessons on safety and when they are constantly thinking they might get caught.

Monday, Feb 25 at 12:19 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I come from a family with many cultures and don't think of myself as races, but I don't think illegal alians should be here if they commit crimes. She didn't just commit one crime, but several. She is here illigaly, driving without a licence, ran a stop signs, killed 4 people, lied to police. Sorry, but this woman doesn't sound like she has any respect for our country or people and shouldn't be allowed to live off us.

Sunday, Feb 24 at 11:19 PM right at home wrote ...

It should make no difference what color or race you are,legal or not legal,right is right, wrong is wrong. Let her be tried by her peers with all facts presented for this tragedy,just like anyone else would be. Let her have her day in court. And as far as the bus driver being looked at. He should be commended for his quick action for the safety of those very frightened children and let us not forget the firemen,ambulance crews and all who stopped to help get the kids to safety. May God Bless

Sunday, Feb 24 at 10:07 PM Mike D. Montevideo, MN wrote ...

The bottom line id that if 'Morales' or whatever her real name is was not here illegally, the 4 children would still be alive.

Sunday, Feb 24 at 9:39 PM Anonymous wrote ...

They should should give her a trial and if found guilty of ANYTHING, especially vehicular homicide, they should just sent her back to Mexico or Guatamala or wherever. Any illegal alian that breaks a law should be immedicately deported. We pay for their hospital bills, social services, schooling (in Spanish yet), we accomodate their language in most businesses. The taxpayers should not have to pay for keeping ANY illegals in jail.

Sunday, Feb 24 at 4:29 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I am sorry but she deserves to spend time in jail in the US. Then after her time is up then deport her. She killed 4 kids and injured many more. I feel sorry for those familys who lost their loved ones. She sounds like she has no remorse for them. I hope justice prevails in this case.

Sunday, Feb 24 at 12:30 PM douglas d lund wrote ...

bill janklow got by with a slap on the wrist so why won,t she

Sunday, Feb 24 at 9:40 AM Danielle R. south dakota wrote ...

I am very sorry to those families.But it seems everyone is so focused on her "dL"to me i think this is another stab at immigrants,everyone involved was "white except her,now it is gonna be a free for all,and that is not fair to her or those families wanting justice because she should be tried for the crime not 4 being illegal and the crime,being illegal is another story and crime.but it seems everyone is focused on that,being illegal didn't kill those kids.hopefully the bus drvr will b looked at

Sunday, Feb 24 at 6:17 AM from far away wrote ...

Lets gets the facts, go to court and let justice be served!!

Sunday, Feb 24 at 3:26 AM INFIDEL wrote ...

A 14 year old boy was killed in Mich. this week too. Same deal - illegal alien previously arrested, but not deported. Please join the fight for our country! betterimmigration.com NumbersUSA.com

Sunday, Feb 24 at 12:23 AM Anonymous wrote ...

i am sorry but she deserves what she gets for the oain she has caused the families of the 4 children that are no longer with us! i hope justice prevails in this case. illegal or not!

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