8 Dead and 40 Hospitalized After Bus Carrying Fla. Farmworkers Hit by Truck

The driver of the truck was charged with eight counts of Driving Under the Influence – Manslaughter

Eight farmworkers are dead and 40 others have been hospitalized after a bus collided with a pickup truck in Florida on Tuesday, May 14.

Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Patrick Riordan said in a press conference streamed by Fox affiliate WOFL that the crash occurred at approximately 6:35 a.m. on State Road 40.

"We had a 2010 International retired school bus that was traveling west on Stage Road 40 here in Marion County on the outskirts of Dunnellon. That vehicle was traveling west," explained Riordan. "We had a 2001 Ford pickup, it was a Ranger model that was traveling east. That vehicle, for unknown reasons, traveled towards the center line, and the vehicles had a collision of a side swipe-type manner."

According to Riordan, after the two vehicles collided, "the school bus traveled off the roadway onto the grass shoulder, where it went through a fence, struck a tree, and overturned."

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"At this point, we have eight confirmed fatalities. We've had approximately 40 people transported to local area hospitals. Some of those are also in very serious condition so there's a high probability this may be beyond eight fatalities. And the driver of the Ford pickup was also transported to the hospital with serious injuries," he continued.

According to WESH, the farmworkers were on their way to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon, Fla., when the accident occurred.

The farm shared on Facebook that it would be closed “out of respect to the losses and injuries endured early this morning in the accident that took place to the Olvera Trucking Harvesting Corp."

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"Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident. We appreciate your understanding at this difficult time," the update continued. They shared in a follow-up post that they would "remain closed through tomorrow."

The Florida Highway Patrol identified the driver of the truck as Bryan Maclean Howard, who was arrested and charged with eight counts of Driving Under the Influence – Manslaughter in a follow-up news release.

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"The identities of the deceased will be released pending next of kin notification. Our sympathies and prayers are with the families of the deceased. Consistent with our duties, the Florida Highway Patrol will conduct both a thorough and exhaustive traffic crash and criminal investigation," the news release added.

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