After a fatal bus accident nearly one year ago, the driver of the tour bus issued an apology letter to the families and friends of the victims.
Yashushi Mikuni’s three page apology in Japanese was written in regards to the 14 Japanese tourists headed from Nevada to visit several national parks in the state of Utah. Reports on the incident said Mikuni flew to Salt Lake City and drove to Las Vegas to pick up the tourists, driving for several hours without a full night’s sleep. The bus rolled on Interstate 15, about 250 miles south of Salt Lake City. Three died and 11 were injured in the accident.
Mikuni was originally charged with 10 felonies but pleaded guilty to only three. Mikuni said, “I have been spending every day regretting very many things. The various means I could have taken to avoid the accident, my judgement, my naivety. I yearn for the answers and it always concludes with these same last thoughts: Why did I live, why have I survived this way?”
Mikuni’s sentencing will be held August 5 in Cedar City. He faces up to 15 years in prison.
Stephanie Moreno contributed to this report.
