As investigators worked Wednesday to determine how a Corona del Mar student fell out of a moving party bus on its way to prom, NBC4 has learned the bus should not have been on the road in the first place, according to information obtained from the California Highway Patrol.
Downey-based Leon Party Bus, also doing business as "LPB" did not have the proper permit to operate, a CHP spokesman told NBC4.
Investigators had been working Wednesday to determine whether the window from which Boyse fell Saturday had been locked prior to the students boarding the bus from Corona del Mar to their prom in Mission Viejo.
Boyse was dancing on the bus when she leaned onto a window and fell out, according to her mother who spoke with NBC4 Monday.
The accident happened at about 7:30 p.m. north of Newport Coast Drive on the southbound lanes of State Route 73, according to the CHP.
Boyse managed to crawl to the center divider. She is recovering from minor to moderate injuries.
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A source with the CHP told the NBC4 I-team the bus involved in the accident had never been inspected by the CHP, which is a requirement to operate in the state.
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Leon Party Bus was ordered to stop operating in a cease and desist letter obtained by NBC4. The letter from the California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates party buses, was sent in August 2012 and is still in effect according to a commission spokesman.
The company's issues are red flags according to consumer advocate group, Business Consumer Alliance.
"They have three unanswered complaints that they have not responded to," said Ronald Williams, a branch manager at the group's Long Beach location.
The complaints Williams showed NBC4 included customers who complained about late pick ups, and what one customer described as a "stinky" and "filthy" bus that was sent to them.
"You should be looking to see what rating they have, why their rating is as it is," said Williams of things all consumers should research before choosing any company. "It just takes a few minutes -- just to better be safe than sorry."
It is unclear whether Boyse's group hired the bus company directly or through a third party company.
NBC4 has tried to reach the bus company several times. Phone calls have not been returned.
