Seven Mexican nationals, including a 16-year-old girl and her 8-year-old brother, were tragically identified as victims of a bus crash in Mississippi over the weekend, authorities confirmed on Monday.
Warren County Coroner Doug L. Huskey released the names to media, following the National Transportation Safety Board’s announcement that a preliminary investigation indicated a tire failure led to the motor coach veering off the road and overturning.
The victims were identified as 8-year-old Kain Gutierrez and his 16-year-old sister, Perla Gutierrez. Another 16-year-old girl, Angelica Palomino, also lost her life in the crash, according to Huskey.
The other victims included Miguel Ariaga, 61; Elia Guzman, 63; and two brothers, Victor Aviles Garcia, 32, and Moises Aviles Garcia, 30.
Huskey noted that Kain Gutierrez was initially identified as 6 years old due to a language barrier.
The accident occurred early Saturday, east of Vicksburg, leaving 37 others injured, according to the highway patrol.
The 2018 Volvo commercial passenger bus, en route from Atlanta to Dallas, was traveling westbound on Interstate 20 when it veered off the road just before 1 a.m. local time, as reported by the highway patrol.
Six victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while one person succumbed to their injuries at Merit Health Hospital in Vicksburg, according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol. The co-driver did not require hospitalization, authorities said.
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The Mexican consulate stated that it has engaged a legal firm to assist in obtaining detailed information about the incident.
