Bus Crash Suspect Pulled Over a Month Before Accident

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After making her first court appearance Friday, authorities wheel the 23-year-old woman who calls herself "Alianiss Nunez Morales," back to Lyon County Jail.

By Associated Press

Story Created: Feb 27, 2008 at 8:17 AM CST

Story Updated: Feb 27, 2008 at 8:44 AM CST

The woman charged with causing the fatal school bus crash in southwestern Minnesota was pulled over by police a month before the accident on the same highway. Minnesota Public Radio reports the woman was riding in what appears to have been the same minivan involved in last week's bus crash. MPR says her boyfriend, who was driving the van when the couple was pulled over last month, was ticketed for driving without a license.

A Kandiyohi County deputy pulled over the Plymouth Voyager after noting the license plate wasn't easily visible. The driver, Samuel Rivera Melendez, had a learner's permit but not a license. His girlfriend told the officer she had no state ID card or driver's license. Melendez would later pay $187 in fines.

The woman identified herself as Alianiss Morales. She has since been identified as Olga Marina Franco, a 24-year-old from Guatemala who was living in the town of Minneota.

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Monday, Mar 3 at 1:58 PM ß∑¥©ßƒ∫√˜˚ wrote ...

don be driving wit out a license

Thursday, Feb 28 at 3:21 PM Jerry wrote ...

To Lar Lin that must be the easiest thing to say "what are the authorities holding back" Maybe you should try being a law officer. We deal with this every day. There are thousands of people that drive every day with out a license evan after they have been to court. They plead guilty for driving with out a license and than leave the courtroom and get in and drive. Is it the law officers fault? It's called responsibility! It's easy for you to blame law enforcement.

Thursday, Feb 28 at 3:01 PM Nathan Engebretson wrote ...

Yah but it it is illegal to be in the US after your visa has expired. That is what sickens me the most. Knowing that another illegal immigrant has caused a fatal traffic accident. This is just getting 2 out of hand and most law enforcement do not live up 2 their sworn standards, TO ENFORCE THE LAW OF THE LAND. I say shame on the local authorities for allowing this area to be a illegal immigrant safe haven. Minnesota is next to California when it comes to illegals.

Thursday, Feb 28 at 11:36 AM Anonymous wrote ...

The powers that be in this country are too worried about pro ball players than the pieces of shit like her that are driving are streets.

Thursday, Feb 28 at 9:04 AM Trooper wrote ...

I have stopped many illegal immigrants. It is a daily thing depending on where you work. The fact of the matter is that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is not even interested in being notified or consulted with when law enforcement has contact with these immigrants. They are only interested if they can get a "van load" in one incident. Furthermore it is actually unlawful for a peace officer to question people about their immigration status based on the color of their skin.

Thursday, Feb 28 at 5:09 AM Mark wrote ...

This is why we need to rid the country of all illegals, they are not only a threat to us all, but cost us a huge amount in welfare, medical and now lives. .the people who rent to these illegals and hire them should not only be fines, but jailed as well.

Thursday, Feb 28 at 1:13 AM chris wrote ...

There was nothing else that the officer who pulled this guy over could do to them. All you can do is ticket them, and then make them get a ride home. If she wasnt driving she could not even get a ticket. Its not illegal not to have a drivers license if you are not driving at the time.

Wednesday, Feb 27 at 10:02 PM T L wrote ...

The general public has no idea how hard it is to properly identify these people. They get pulled over and give false id's and/or false names, no Drivers License, and usually no insurance. If they haven't been arrested before you can't tell if they are who they say they are. If they have been they have numerous alias names they have used in the past. It is not an easy process to properly identify them. It is by no means as easy at it sounds or should be.

Wednesday, Feb 27 at 7:23 PM Aiva J wrote ...

This is very sad. Unfortunaly, you don't know that someone is an illegal immigrant until a trajedy such as this happens that brings attention to the person. Who knows, the guy is probably legal, so it may have been just another routine traffic stop. The woman lived in the trailor park of a small town in the area, according to her reports, the live-in b/f had left her the day of the crash. But the neighbors say in the month she lived there they had never seen anyone but her around

Wednesday, Feb 27 at 6:01 PM Lar Lin wrote ...

You have got be kidding, who is responsible now for the accident? The county and the law officer who let people these people back into the general population with out any further investigation. I think It was a small price to pay for killing someone. Where do these people live, do they have a permanent address? What is there history? How do you get a learners permit With out someone riding with you.What are the authorities holding back! Tell us the whole story!!!

Wednesday, Feb 27 at 12:38 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Makes a person wonder if she has used that fake name before and gotten away with it..like on credit cards..bank accounts, food stamps, job applications. Sounds like her boyfriend isn't much better.

Wednesday, Feb 27 at 11:03 AM Shelley wrote ...

That was stupid of the deputy. Lets give them a ticket and let them on their way. You should have made them get a ride and towed the vehicle. She should have been taken into custody. She's here illegally and you knew it. We expect you to enforce all of our laws. We need to crack down on this issue. That is your job. Maybe you should be placed on leave until you can better learn the laws of our state and country. Shame on you!!

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