The driver of the truck that sideswiped the bus—which included Mexican citizens among those going to work at a watermelon farm—faces eight counts of driving-under-the-influence-manslaughter.
Jeffrey Greenberg—Universal Images Group/Getty ImagesOCALA, Fla. — Mexican citizens were among those going to work at a Florida watermelon farm on Tuesday when the bus they were traveling in was sideswiped and crashed, killing eight people, officials said.
The Florida Highway Patrol arrested the driver of a pickup truck that crashed into the farmworker bus. Troopers said Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, faces eight counts of driving-under-the-influence-manslaughter for Tuesday morning’s crash. No further details were released, including what substance allegedly left Howard impaired.
The accident happened about 80 miles north of Orlando as the workers were going to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon. The bus ended up on its side, with its windows smashed and its emergency rear door and top hatch open. The truck came to a stop at the side of the road, with its air bag blown and extensive damage to the driver’s side.
The H-2A program allows U.S. employers or agents who meet certain regulatory requirements to bring foreign nationals into the country to fill temporary agricultural jobs. Florida farms employ more H-2A workers than any other state, about 50,000 a year, according to the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association.
Authorities in several states have been pushing for greater regulations for the safety of farmworkers, who are overwhelmingly migrants. “Farmworkers tend to be forgotten, but it’s important not to forget farmworkers, especially during such difficult times,” the post said.Two groups that advocate for farmworkers issued statements calling for stricter laws to protect them from harm.
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