Bus company owner faces fines of up to $16,000 a day and jail if he continues to operate

Bus company owner Angel De La Torre faces fines of up $16,000 a day and imprisonment if either of his bus companiues, Angel Tours or Igaula Busmex continues to operate, according to the National Transportation and Safety Board.

It was one of De La Torre's Angel Tours buses that was involved in the Friday morning accident that killed 17 people headed for the annual Marian Days observance in Carthage:

The National Transportation Safety Board "is looking at all drivers and companies associated with Angel Tours," spokeswoman Debbie Hersman said. "We are still trying to make all those connections."

She said Mr. De La Torre initially attracted regulators' attention because of a high rate of roadside inspection failures – 19 percent, more than three times the national average.