Driver Allegedly Responsible For Van Accident Had Long Record

07:07

August 03, 2011

Regulators failed to find the long-list of violations the driver of the van which crashed on Monday has because his background check only covered in-state records. (Nerdcoregirl/Flickr) — The driver, responsible for Monday's crash, had a long-list of violations, but regulators failed to find this in his background check, which only covered in-state records. (Nerdcoregirl/Flickr)

A van full of adults with special needs crashed in Newton Monday, injuring 12 passengers.

Police allege the driver, Addis Woldeguiorguis, was on prescription painkillers and carrying drugs and paraphernalia when he drove into the back of a garbage truck.

Ben Wolford reports that the driver had a long and troubling driving record. Three-pages long, in fact, which included at least one infraction that should have blocked Woldeguiorguis from operating the van.

But because the violations took place out of Massachusetts, the state, which is responsible for running backgrounds on drivers like Woldeguiorguis, had no idea.

Guest:

Ben Wolford, correspondent, The Boston Globe

More:

Boston Globe: Van crash highlights history of violations

This segment aired on August 3, 2011.