Man gets 15 months in human smuggling

A man was sentenced Thursday in U.S District Court to 15 months in prison for his role in an immigrant smuggling case that involved a fatal crash on I-70 near Salina.

Investigators say he was helping transport 10 undocumented immigrants from Guatemala in a van from Los Angeles to Denver when the crash occurred March 24, killing two passengers. He was to assist as a second driver and to take the wheel in Colorado.

According to the Utah Highway Patrol, the driver apparently fell asleep and the van veered off the road. Investigators say the van had only six seats and safety belts.

Fernanddo Pineda-Roblero is slated to be deported to Mexico after his term is complete.