Driver's Identity A Mystery


After making her first court appearance Friday, authorities wheel the 23-year-old woman who calls herself "Alianiss Nunez Morales," back to Lyon County Jail.

By Drew Sandholm
Story Created: Feb 22, 2008 at 7:56 PM CST
Story Updated: Feb 23, 2008 at 12:27 AM CST

She is a mystery.

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A 23-year-old woman that had been driving the van, which investigators say struck a Lakeview School bus. She calls herself "Alianiss Nunez Morales," but now her identity is questioned.


"Morales" in her Lyon County mugshot.

Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Mark Peterson said, "That is the identity of someone else and working through that identity and following some leads, we've asked for immigration to help us to determine the identity of the driver that we do have in custody."

Now the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) is looking for answers. Special agent Claude Arnolds, "Our agents developed probable cause that miss Nunez Morales is in the country illegally and that is not her true identity."

So what do we know about this woman? 'Morales' apparently speaks little English, but communicated through a translator. The woman told authorities that she worked at Norcraft Cabinetry, but a spokesperson for that company wouldn't confirm or deny that they've employed her.

Norcraft does not release information concerning employees of the company," said vice president Reggie E. Graham. "However, we have reviewed company documents and are in compliance with the law."

'Morales' also told authorities she's originally from Mexico, but she's since been living in a trailer home with her boyfriend in Minneota, MN. ICE officials wouldn't elaborate on the details of their investigation, which Arnolds said was in it's infancy.

"ICE is a full partner in this investigation of this tragedy and we'll do everything in our power that justice is served," said Arnolds.
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