Driver Arrested in Deadly Marion County Bus Crash; 8 Counts of DUI – Manslaughter Charged
The driver of a Ford Ranger pickup truck involved in a deadly bus crash in Marion County, Florida, has been arrested and charged with eight counts of DUI – Manslaughter. Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon following the tragic incident that claimed the lives of eight farm workers and left 40 others injured.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of the bus crash early Tuesday morning after receiving a call at 6:37 a.m. The Florida Highway Patrol reported that the bus, which was carrying approximately 53 employees of a farming company, was involved in a collision with Howard’s pickup truck. The impact caused the bus to veer off the road, crash through a fence, and overturn.
Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash, with Lt. Pat Riordan of the Florida Highway Patrol stating, “This will be a very long and lengthy investigation.” It is estimated that it will take at least six months to determine the facts surrounding the tragic incident.
Marion County Fire Rescue transported 38 patients to local hospitals, with eight in critical condition and 30 with non-life-threatening injuries. AdventHealth Ocala received 16 patients, two of whom were transferred to other facilities, while the remaining 14 are in the process of being discharged.
The workers involved in the crash were from Mexico and were in the United States on temporary agricultural visas. The Farm Worker Association of Florida described them as unsung heroes who play a vital role in putting food on American tables. The organization has set up a GoFundMe page to support the workers and their families, and a vigil is planned for Wednesday evening.
As the community mourns the loss of the farm workers and prays for the recovery of those injured, questions remain about the circumstances that led to this devastating crash. The investigation continues as authorities work to provide answers and closure to the families affected by this tragedy.