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8 farmworkers killed in bus crash
Eight farmworkers are dead and the driver of a pickup truck faces DUI charges after crashing into a bus carrying 53 migrants in Marion County.
MARION COUNTY, Fla. - A truck driver has been arrested after eight people were killed, and 40 others were hospitalized in a crash involving a bus carrying farmworkers in Marion County on Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Bryan Maclean Howard, who was driving a Ford Ranger truck at the time of the crash, was arrested on eight counts of DUI manslaughter charges.
According to FHP, a retired 2010 International School Bus that was carrying around 53 farmworkers to a local farm collided with a truck just after 6:30 a.m on Tuesday.
Courtesy: FHP
"We are a very big agricultural county. So this time of year, we always have migrant workers that are in our county that are on buses just like this," explained Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods during a press conference.
FHP Public Affairs Officer, Lt. Patrick Riordan, says the bus was headed west on SR-40 on the outskirts of Dunnellon as a 2001 Ford Ranger pickup truck was traveling east. For unknown reasons, the truck traveled toward the center line and the two vehicles collided in 'a sideswiped manner,' according to officials.
After colliding, the bus careened off the road, through a fence, and overturned.
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The crash occurred on SR-40 about 500 feet west of SW 148 Court.
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8 killed, dozens injured after crash in Marion County: FHP
FULL CONFERENCE: Florida Highway Patrol Public Affairs Officer, Lt. Patrick Riordan, and Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods provided an update on a crash that killed eight and injured dozens in Marion County on Tuesday morning.
"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 high probability this may be beyond eight fatalities," shared Riordan.
Eight of the people taken to the hospital were in critical condition while 30 had non-life threatening injuries, according to officials.
FHP says the Howard was also taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
According to AdventHealth Ocala, as of Tuesday afternoon, they transferred two of the 16 patients that were taken to the hospital to other facilities. Hospital officials say the remaining 14 patients in their care are in the process of being discharged.
The hospital's chief medical officer, Dr. Rodrigo Torres, released the following statement:
"Our prayers are with all those affected by the tragic bus accident in Ocala this morning. AdventHealth is currently treating 16 patients, with 12 in our main emergency department at AdventHealth Ocala and four at AdventHealth Timber Ridge ER.
Our immediate priority is to provide exceptional medical care to those injured, and compassionate support to our patients and their loved ones. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available."
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Aerials: Bus carrying workers overturns, killing 8
A bus carrying farm workers crashed and overturned in Marion County early Tuesday morning, killing 8 people and leaving 40 others injured.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office reported that West Highway 40 between S.W. 180th Avenue and S.W. 140th Avenue was closed due to the crash.
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The stretch of road will be closed for an extended period of time, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Photo courtesy: Marion County Sheriff's Office
The Florida Highway Patrol is the lead organization investigating the crash. Authorities say they are conducting a massive traffic homicide investigation.
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