OCALA, Fla. – The driver of the Ford Ranger involved in the fatal wreck that killed eight people and injured about 40 others Tuesday morning in Marion County has been arrested on accusations of driving under the influence, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The multi-fatal wreck happened around 6:35 a.m. Tuesday on S.R. 40 near SW 148 Court near Ocala.
According to the FHP, a “retired” school bus, carrying 53 farmworkers, was westbound when a 2001 Ford Ranger headed in the opposite direction veered toward the center of the road and sideswiped the bus, which traveled off the road, through a fence, struck a tree and overturned, troopers said.
On Tuesday afternoon, troopers arrested Bryan Maclean Howard. He faces eight counts of driving under the influence-manslaughter. We are working to get more information about Howard’s arrest.
The FHP said eight people were confirmed dead and about 40 others, including the driver of the pickup truck, were taken to hospitals.
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said 30 ambulances were called to the scene.
“We’re here because of a tragedy. We have eight dead people,” Woods said. “The FHP will find out the cause (of the crash).”
More than a dozen patients were taken to AdventHealth hospitals.
“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,” said Dr. Rodrigo Torres, chief medical officer at AdventHealth Ocala.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for the victims of the crash and their families.
The Ocala StarBanner reported that the workers were headed to Cannon Farms, a family-owned and operated farm in Dunnellon. The workers were in the country on H2A work visas, according to the Farmworkers Association in Apopka. Woods also said all the workers were documented.
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Cannon Farms posted on Facebook that it will be closed Tuesday because of the crash.
“We will be closed today 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. We appreciate your understanding at this difficult time,” the statement said.
Juan Sabines from the consulate of Mexico in Orlando later announced that all eight men killed in the crash were from Mexico and had been in the country thanks to H-2A work visas. One of the killed farmworkers leaves behind a 1-year-old daughter.
H-2A visas are designated for people to come to the United States to temporarily work in agriculture. These visas are granted for up to six months at a time.
Sabines said his office is working on family notifications and obtaining death certificates for the families of those killed. The consulate will also help with getting the bodies returned to Mexico.
The ages of the victims were not immediately known.
“My heart goes out to (the families),” Woods said. “This is the death that you do not expect from your family members. This is a shock to you. My heart goes out to them.”
FHP Lt. Pat Riordan said the “massive” homicide investigation could take six months to complete.
Marion County Public Schools said a school bus was used to transport victims involved in the crash, but a MCPS bus was NOT involved in the wreck.
No other details have been released.
Check back for updates.