The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a notice of claim charging Cayetano Martinez, owner of Tierra Santa Inc. bus company, with multiple federal motor carrier safety violations.

The $72,760 in fines is the result of an investigation of a fatal crash in Phoenix  on March 5, involving a bus operated by Tierra Santa. Six passengers were killed and 16 others were injured in the crash.   

In the notice of claim, FMCSA charged Martinez with 78 violations of 13 separate motor carrier safety regulations. It also identifies the four separate company names Martinez allegedly used to illegally operate and evade previous orders from FMCSA to cease all interstate and international passenger carrier transportation. The violations include:

• 19 counts of operating without federal authority;

• 21 counts of operating without required minimum insurance;

• 24 counts of operating in violation of a previous FMCSA order to cease operations;

• Violation of alcohol and controlled substance testing requirements;

• Violation of driver qualification requirements;

• Violation of hours of service requirements; and

• Violation of vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements. 

To contest the notice of claim or any of the violations, Martinez must submit a written reply to FMCSA on or before July 12.

For a complete summary of FMCSA's actions taken in this case, visit the agency's website at www.fmcsa.dot.gov.