Tow truck operators work tour on bus that careened off a mountain highway and plunged down a snow-covered slope, killing nine passengers and injuring at least 27 others, in Oregon on December 31, 2012. (REUTERS/Steve Dipaola)
VANCOUVER — The U.S. Department of Transportation has ordered a Coquitlam, B.C.,-based travel company to stop operating south of the border following an Oregon bus crash that left nine people dead and nearly 40 others injured.
American authorities began an investigation into the Dec. 30 crash and determined Mi Joo Travel & Tour failed to comply with U.S. regulations, including logging drivers’ rest breaks, periods of driving and off-duty time.
Furthermore, the investigation found the tour company allowed bus driver Haeng Kyu Hwang to work “well beyond” the 70-hour maximum of service hours.
It also found the company did not comply with drug and alcohol testing requirements, including not conducting a post-crash drug test on the driver.
Finally, it concluded the accident occurred due to a “callous neglect” of responsibilities.
