Investigation ordered into inmates' deaths

SAN JUAN (AP):

Puerto Rico's justice secretary said yesterday he has opened a criminal investigation against two prison guards who were escorting eight inmates who drowned, screaming for help, while shackled in a van covered in floodwaters.

Secretary Guillermo Somoza said authorities are reviewing pictures and videos that bystanders took at the scene to determine whether prosecutors should file charges of negligent or aggravated homicide.

Ten inmates were being driven back to prison after court hearings in the northern coastal city of Arecibo when the guards apparently took a shortcut to avoid flooded streets, Corrections Secretary Jesus Gonzalez Cruz said. A rush of water toppled the van.

Hector Serrano, who lives nearby, said he ran to the van as he saw it disappear underwater and joined another man in rescuing two inmates and the two guards by cutting a hole in the vehicle's roof. He said the guards refused to turn over the keys so they could rescue the remaining trapped prisoners.

"They were nervous," Serrano told reporters late Monday. "The guards did not want to let them out ... supposedly because they would run away."

Those inside were screaming, Serrano said. "They wanted to be saved ... They were desperate."