DUNNELLON, Fla. — A tragic accident in Marion County, Florida, has claimed the lives of eight farmworkers and left around 40 others hospitalized. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning when a bus carrying the workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40.
Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant Patrick Riordan provided details of the crash during a press conference. He explained that a retired school bus was traveling west on State Road 40 when a Ford pickup, for unknown reasons, veered into the center line, leading to a side-swipe collision. The impact caused the bus to veer off the road, crash through a fence, hit a tree, and overturn.
So far, eight fatalities have been confirmed, but there is a possibility that the death toll could rise as some of the injured individuals are in serious condition. The driver of the pickup truck has also been transported to the hospital with serious injuries.
The farmworkers were reportedly en route to Cannon Farms when the accident occurred. In response to the tragic incident, the farm shared on Facebook that it would be closed as a mark of respect for the losses and injuries suffered by the workers of Olvera Trucking Harvesting Corp.
Authorities have identified the driver of the pickup truck as Bryan Maclean Howard, who has been arrested and charged with eight counts of Driving Under the Influence – Manslaughter.
The Florida Highway Patrol expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and emphasized that a thorough investigation would be conducted into both the traffic crash and the criminal aspects of the incident.
The tragic collision has shocked the community and left many grieving for the victims and their families. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.