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CEDAR CITY — The driver of a tour bus that crashed while transporting Japanese tourists in southern Utah has pleaded guilty to negligently operating a vehicle.
Yasushi Mikuni, 26, pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of negligently driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance, a third-degree felony, in connection with the August 2010 crash that left three dead and others seriously injured.
Mikuni was originally charged with 10 counts of operating a vehicle negligently causing death or injury, a third-degree felony, and other misdemeanor charges.
Amended charges including just the three Mikuni plead to was filed before a hearing in 5th District Court Tuesday. In a statement in support of his plea, Mikuni admitted he had marijuana in his system when he was driving Aug. 9, 2010.
"I operated a motor vehicle in a negligent manner, causing seriously bodily injury or death to three individuals in violation of Utah law," the plea agreement states.
The group of 14 was en route to Bryce Canyon National Park at the time of the incident.
It is also believed Mikuni was drowsy and drifted from the roadway. The man was attending school on a student visa in Las Vegas at the time.
One family involved in the crash filed a lawsuit — first in federal court, then in state court — seeking damages for injuries they sustained.
Hideo and Akemi Hayase, whose 20-year-old son Hiroki was killed in the crash, also filed a lawsuit naming Mikuni and the tour company for which he was working.
Email:emorgan@ksl.com
