The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has apprehended the driver of a pickup truck involved in a tragic collision with a farmworker bus early Tuesday morning. The incident resulted in the loss of eight lives and left at least 40 others injured. The driver, identified as Bryan Maclean Howard, now faces eight counts of DUI-Manslaughter.
The Incident
At approximately 06:40 the 2001 Ford Ranger driven by Howard veered across the center line, striking the farmworker bus. The impact caused the bus to careen off the road, crash through a fence, and collide with a tree before overturning. The converted school bus was transporting 53 farmworkers at the time of the collision. These workers were en route to Cannon Farms in Dunellon, where they were engaged in watermelon harvesting.
The Tragic Toll
The devastating crash resulted in the loss of eight lives. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to extricate survivors from the wreckage, and at least 40 individuals were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment. The severity of their injuries varies, but the community is left mourning the tragic loss of life.
Legal Proceedings
Howard, the driver of the Ford Ranger, has been taken into custody by the FHP. The charges against him include DUI-Manslaughter, a serious offence that carries significant legal consequences. As of now, no further details regarding Howard’s legal representation have been released.
