'Massive traffic homicide' investigation underway after deadly Florida bus crash

A high-ranking Florida Highway Patrol official said the agency is investigating the bus crash that killed eight and injured dozens more as a "massive traffic homicide."

Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Pat Riordan told reporters in that the agency is investigating the devastating bus crash. On Tuesday morning, a vehicle carrying 53 migrant passengers aboard when a 2001 Ford Ranger truck seemingly randomly started to travel towards the centerline of the highway for "unknown reasons", and caused the crash. The distinction of a homicide case ostensibly places more suspicion on the driver of that truck.

"At this point, we are conducting a massive traffic homicide investigation," he said. Riordan stopped short of placing blame on any particular party involved in the crash and said officials are still unclear on the cause.

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The incident left eight dead; eight critically injured and the remaining 37 hospitalized with minor injuries. However, Riordan said the death toll has a "high probability" to rise given the extent of some of the migrant's injuries.

The horrific collision took place on State Road 40 highway around 6:30 a.m. Witnesses said the Ford Ranger suddenly began shifting to the centerline, eventually sideswiping the 2010 International retired school bus that was being utilized by Olvera Trucking Harvesting Corp, who hired the migrant watermelon farm workers. The owner of the company, who was reportedly aboard the bus as well, was critically injured and given medical attention.

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The bus was run off the road onto the south shoulder, crashed into a fence and two trees before ultimately overturning onto a patch of grass. Florida's Department of Transportation subsequently closed the stretch of road on West Highway 40 between S.W 180th Ave and S.W 140th Ave between Dunnellon and Ocala.

The farm workers were heading to Cannon Farms, which announced on Facebook that it would close “out of respect to the losses and injuries endured early this morning in the accident that took place to the Olvera Trucking Harvesting Corp.”

“Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident,” Cannon Farms said. “We appreciate your understanding at this difficult time.”

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An aerial view of the scene looks horrific. A large white bus lays on the grass next to the highway in a mangled mess. Debris is seen everywhere and the entire front of the vehicle is torn off. The entire bus looks crushed, showing the heaviest damage in the front and left side.

The incident is being investigated by the FHP's Specialized Investigations Reconstruction Team.