8 dead in Farmworker bus crash; no bail for Ocala man facing DUI charges

OCALA (AP) - The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested the driver of a pickup truck that crashed into a farmworker bus early Tuesday, killing eight, on charges of driving under the influence-manslaughter. An Ocala man was denied bond on charges of driving under the influence-manslaughter after authorities said his pickup truck sideswiped the bus, allegedly causing the fatal accident.

Bryan Maclean Howard of Ocala, 41, faces eight counts of DUI-Manslaughter, the FHP said in a statement.

Troopers said he was driving the 2001 Ford Ranger when it crossed into the center line on State Road 40 in Marion County, a straight but somewhat hilly two-lane road that passes through horse farms. The truck sideswiped the bus, causing it to veer off the road at about 6:40 a.m. It crashed through a fence and into a tree before overturning.

In addition to the eight killed, at least 40 were injured. FHP indicated that more fatalities may occur due to the seriousness of some injuries.

The workers were headed to Cannon Farms in Dunellon, which has been harvesting watermelons. The bus ended up on its side, with its windows smashed and its emergency rear door and top hatch open. The truck came to a stop at the side of the road, with its air bag blown and extensive damage to the driver's side.

Federal statistics show that vehicle crashes were the leading cause of job-related deaths among farmworkers in 2022, the latest year available. They accounted for 81 of 171 fatalities. It was not immediately not known if the bus had seat belts.

Authorities in several states have been pushing for greater regulations for the safety of farmworkers, who are overwhelmingly migrants. It is unknown if all the workers on the bus were migrants. The Mexican consulate in Orlando said it was making help available to any of the workers who are from its country.

The Labor Department announced new seat belt requirements for employer vehicles used for farmworkers on temporary visas, among other worker protections that take effect June 28. The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has been opposed, calling the seat belt requirement “impractical.”

State law requires seat belts for farmworker transport using smaller vehicles, weighing less than 10,000 pounds.

Cannon Farms describes itself as a family-owned operation that has farmed its land for more than 100 years. The company now focuses on peanuts and watermelons, which it sends to grocery stores across the U.S. and Canada. It is about 8 miles from the crash site.

Early rumors spread that a school bus was involved in the accident, which was not the case. Sheriff's officials worked to correct the information. A Marion County school bus assisted in transporting injured to area hospitals.