Related articles:

Driver in fatal rollover crash east of Tucson charged with smugglingDriver in weekend crash that killed two illegal entrants identified

Other articles by Brady Mccombs:

US makes it easy for gun traffickers Remains of 2 apparent illegal entrants found Border agents find pot, guns near Ajo Tanque Verde superintendent arrested Tucson school official arrested for child sex exploitationAgents find 16th tunnel in Nogales since Oct. 1Grief, anger mix at funerals in HermosilloHermosillo begins burying 38 toddlersTears and questions follow fire at day-care center; building had just one exit Illegal-labor culture is new target, ICE chief says

Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION Health Care
Sierra Tucson
Eating Disorders Program Coordinator General
A1 Communications
Cable Techs

The driver in Monday's fatal rollover crash involving a van full of illegal entrants could be facing life in prison.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona on Wednesday charged Jesus Espinoza-Martinez, 31, of Mexico with two criminal counts of smuggling. The first count is transporting illegal entrants for profit resulting in death, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The second count is bringing illegal entrants into the country for profit, which carries a minimum mandatory sentence of three or five years, depending on the number of people smuggled, and a maximum of 15 years, said Sandy Raynor, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona. Both have a $250,000 fine.

Espinoza-Martinez was driving a van carrying 31 illegal entrants that crashed and rolled off Interstate 10 near Benson, killing one woman, the criminal complaint says.

The woman, who died at the scene, has been identified as Blanca Ofelia Cortave-Estrada, 21, from El Quiché, Guatemala. Two Guatemalan men are in comas and in critical condition.

Eight other Guatemalans remain hospitalized, five in Tucson and three in Phoenix, said Oscar Padilla, the Guatemalan consul general in Phoenix.

Two might be flown home because they have serious injuries that will likely require many months of treatment, he said.

Local hospitals treated 29 of the 31 passengers for injuries.

Espinoza-Martinez, who made his initial appearance Wednesday afternoon at Evo A. DeConcini Courthouse, denied being the driver, the complaint revealed.

But four of the five passengers authorities are holding as witnesses identified Espinoza-Martinez as the driver. Agents also noticed he had a bruise that ran diagonally from his left upper shoulder to his lower right waist, indicative of a driver's- side seat-belt bruise, the complaint said.

The witnesses said there were multiple guides, including Espinoza-Martinez. A Mexican boy authorities arrested admitted to agreeing to help smuggle the group through Naco and to Los Angeles in exchange for not having to pay his way. He told agents he helped the smugglers by counting the illegal entrants while they walked through the desert, giving them directions and keeping them in line, the complaint says.

The boy also identified Espinoza-Martinez as the driver.

The complaint says Border Patrol agents followed the van because it looked suspicious. The agents, however, did not turn on emergency lights or chase the van, it says.

The agents took exit 291 off I-10 and noticed a cloud of dust. They found the van down the embankment, on its side.