According to state officials, a tragic accident occurred on West Highway 40 in central Florida, resulting in the loss of eight lives. The incident involved a bus carrying approximately 53 farmworkers being hit by a truck, causing it to overturn.
Bryan Maclean Howard, the truck driver, has been taken into custody by the Florida Highway Patrol on charges of eight counts of driving under the influence-manslaughter.
According to Marion County Fire Rescue, a total of 38 individuals sustained injuries in the incident. Out of these, 8 individuals are currently in critical condition, while the remaining 30 have non-life-threatening injuries.
Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Patrick Riordan informed the reporters that there is a strong likelihood that the number of fatalities may exceed eight.
Howard was one of the individuals who were hospitalized, according to officials.
At approximately 6:35 a.m., the 2010 International Bus and Howard’s 2001 Ford Ranger truck were traveling in opposite directions when the truck unexpectedly swerved towards the center line. As a result, the two vehicles collided in a sideswiped manner, according to officials.
Officials said that the bus went off West Highway 40, crashed through a fence, and then flipped over.
At the time of the crash, Riordan mentioned that the bus was on its way to a farm in the area.
According to Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretary Alicia Bárcena, a number of the individuals involved in the crash were Mexican farm workers. The Mexican consulate in Orlando has stated that they are providing assistance to those affected by the incident.
