FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -- Nearly a year after six people were killed in a Greyhound bus crash, the first charges have been filed against someone regarding the crash.
It was July 22, 2010 when the bus plowed into an overturned SUV that had crashed along Freeway 99, killing six people – 3 in the car, and 3 in the bus. Before the crash, we knew the girls in that SUV had been at the Starline club in the Tower District. At the time, the club had 18 and over nights. A lot of people thought the girls were able to sneak a drink here. But after seeing surveillance video from a nearby liquor store, the Fresno County district attorney legally cleared the Starline. We know a friend of the girl's who is old enough to buy alcohol did, and gave it to them.
"It was one individual's decision to provide alcohol to a teenager," said Fresno County District Attorney Elizabeth Egan.
Egan says a friend of the girls, Michelle Cole, bought a large bottle of green apple Smirnoff vodka, a large bottle of raspberry vodka, and four cans of Four-Loko. Cole was 21 years old at the time.
"Undoubtedly, this is the most tragic DUI crash in recent Fresno history caused the death of six people," Egan says.
We asked Cole's mother for a comment, but she referred us to her attorney, Martin Taleisnik. He says Cole is devastated.
"She's not devastated because they filed charges," said Taleisnik. "I mean the three young ladies that were in the SUV that all died were very good friends of hers."
Taleisnik argues his client should not be blamed for everything.
"I've told her that I don't think that she's the cause of this accident," the attorney said. "I don't think she thinks that she's the cause of this accident."
Court documents show Cole used her valid California ID to buy alcohol at a central Fresno liquor store.
"Cole purchased alcohol for 18-year-old Sylvia Lopez Garay, who drove her parents' car while intoxicated and caused this collision," said Egan.
The crash took place just before sunrise on July 22, causing the SUV to flip on Freeway 99 near McKinley Avenue. Minutes later, the bus slammed into the SUV. When the dust settled, six people were dead, including Garay.
"It's unfair in my mind that she's going to be labeled the face of this [crash]," said Taleisnik. "I've read on line that some people in this community are saying that she should be held to blame for this accident, and I just don't think that's the truth."
KMPH News Reporter Norma Yuriar spoke with the lead investigator. He told her that the California Highway Patrol and the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control interviewed a lot of people at the Starline, and found that the bartenders and cocktail waitresses did not serve alcohol to Garay and her friends.
As of right now, Michelle Cole is the only person charged. She's scheduled to make her first court appearance next month. Taleisnik says his client will plead "not guilty".
Purchasing alcohol for a minor is a misdemeanor. If Cole is found guilty, the most time she could spend in jail is one year.
