Dunnellon, Florida – A tragic bus crash in Florida resulted in at least eight fatalities, with the driver of a pickup truck facing charges of driving under the influence manslaughter. The incident occurred early Tuesday morning when the pickup truck collided with a school bus carrying around 53 farmworkers to a watermelon field. The impact caused the bus to overturn and strike two fences on the outskirts of Dunnellon, leaving many others injured, some critically.

According to reports from the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of the pickup truck, Bryan Maclean Howard, admitted to smoking marijuana oil the night before the crash and being involved in a previous accident just days prior. Howard also mentioned consuming prescription medications before embarking on his journey to a methadone clinic for back treatment on the day of the crash. Witnesses reported seeing Howard’s truck veering out of its lane earlier that morning.

During a court appearance, Howard requested a public defender due to financial constraints and pleaded not guilty to the charges of DUI manslaughter. The tragic incident has devastated the community, especially considering that some of the deceased victims were identified as Mexican migrant workers with H-2A visas, legally permitted to work in agricultural roles within the U.S.

The Farmworker Association of Florida’s Ernesto Ruiz expressed profound sorrow over the preventable nature of the crash, emphasizing the need for greater responsibility on the road. Government officials highlighted the risks faced by agricultural workers, citing vehicle crashes as a leading cause of job-related fatalities in the industry.

As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the crash, the community mourns the loss of lives and grapples with the consequences of impaired driving. The aftermath of the tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and the devastating impact of reckless behavior behind the wheel.