Driver charged in fire that killed Rita evacuees

The driver of the bus that caught fire while carrying elderly patients fleeing Hurricane Rita has been charged with criminal negligent homicide in the

The driver of the bus that caught fire while carrying elderly patients fleeing Hurricane Rita has been charged with criminal negligent homicide in the deaths of 23 passengers, a spokesman for the Dallas County Sheriff's Department said Monday. The charges against Juan Robles Gutierrez, a 37-year-old Mexican national, were forwarded to District Attorney Bill Hill, Sgt. Don Peritz said. Robles was taken into federal custody on an immigration violation five days after the Sept. 23 explosion near Dallas. Peritz would not give specific examples of illegal actions by Robles, saying details would be released if he is indicted. "The bus is under his care, custody and control and so is every one on board," he said. "Safe transportation from the nursing home to the final destination is his responsibility. Based on the end result, he failed in that responsibility."