The Spectrum
Josh Huntsman
An emotional Yasushi Mikuni fought back tears Tuesday after pleading guilty as part of a plea deal in the deaths of three of his bus passengers in a crash on Interstate 15 north of Cedar City, Utah last August. Seven others were injured in the crash. The three who died were Japanese tourists.
Mikuni pled guilty to three counts of negligent driving while under the influence of a controlled substance. Mikuni was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the accident. He was charged with 10 counts of operating a vehicle negligently causing injury or death, driving while under the influence of a controlled substance and failure to stay in one lane. At sentencing on August 5, Mikuni could face up to 15 years in prison and various fines. An investigation will take place to determine the amount of restitution Mikuni will pay to the victims. For more, visit www.thespectrum.com.