Company In Deadly Bus Crash Had More Than 50 Violations In 2 Years

UPDATE: The coroner revised the death toll on Aug. 3 to four.

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MODESTO (CBS13) — CBS13 has learned the bus that veered off of Highway 99 in a deadly crash had an issue with its brake warning system as recently as April.

There were no crashes in the Fresno-based bus company's record, but in the past two years we've found Autobuses Coordinados USA had more than 50 violations tied to its drivers and buses.

In nearly one-third of those inspections, the feds ordered vehicles out of service.

The same bus in Tuesday's crash that killed five people and injured 16 had problems in an inspection on April 28. According to federal records, inspectors found violations for having "no or a defective brake warning device." That device warns the driver if there's a problem with the brakes. Investigators say it was "equipped with prohibited non-automatically folding seats in the aisle."

In February 2015, a driver of the same bus was caught "driving a [commercial motor vehicle] while [commercial driver's license] is suspended." It's unknown if that is the same driver that was in Tuesday's crash.

Attorney Jason Sigel says his firm has worked dozens of cases involving bus crashes.

"I worry that this company has lax safety standards," he said.

The February 2015 inspection found a damaged or discolored windshield and an inoperable required lamp.

"We're not talking about one or two isolated things that have been remedied and practices have been improved, we have a long history of multiple violations," he said.

Federal records show the company has 14 drivers, eight vehicles and no crashes, until Tuesday.

It's also faced violations for having false reports of drivers' record of duty, steering system issues and for having defective or no bus emergency exits.

Though those problems aren't tied to the bus in Tuesday's crash, Sigel says they will play a role in the investigation.

"Here is a company that had a litany of violations in the last 2 years, that still has buses on the road," he said.

Despite the violations, the government rates the bus company's record as satisfactory, meaning no evidence of non compliance with safety requirements.

The bus company has not responded to our requests for comment.