By Patrick Hedlund
DNAinfo News Editor
MANHATTAN — The driver of a Chinatown-bound bus that crashed in Virginia, killing four passengers, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to involuntary manslaughter, according to a report.
Kin Yiu Cheung, 37, of Queens, was hit with four felony counts after the bus he was driving from Virginia to New York City on May 31 flipped near Fredericksburg, Va., killing four and injuring dozens more.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison on each felony count. Cheung was also hit with reckless driving charges.
Lawyers for the driver are asking a judge to disqualify any statements he made after the crash because they claim Cheung was not read his Miranda rights and was denied access to an attorney, CBS reported.
Virginia state police initially cited driver fatigue as the reason for the crash and ruled out the possibility of any mechanical malfunction.
Four passengers died in the wreck, while 54 others suffered injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening, state police said.
The long-distance bus company employing Cheung, Sky Express, was shut down last month by the U.S. Department of Transportation due to the carrier's poor safety rating and multiple violations.
His next trial date is set for Sept. 12.
