The driver of a pickup truck that slammed into a bus carrying migrant farmworkers, killing eight of them, has been arrested, Florida authorities said.
Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, was allegedly impaired when he crossed his 2001 Ford Ranger into the center line on State Road 40 and sideswiped into the bus, forcing it off the road around 6:40 a.m.
The bus then crashed through a fence and barreled into a tree before it overturned, Florida Highway Patrol said.
Eight workers were killed and at least 40 more injured in the wreck.
The farmworkers were eight miles away from their jobs at family-owned Cannon Farms in Dunnellon, which has been harvesting watermelons, before tragedy struck.
Juan Sabines, of the Mexican consulate based in Florida, said the fatal victims were all from Mexico and were in the US temporarily on work visas, WKMG reported.
One of the victims leaves behind a 1-year-old daughter, Sabines reportedly said.
The identities of the slain workers would be released once family members were notified.
Howard, who had past run-ins with the law, was charged with eight counts of driving under the influence-manslaughter, state highway patrol said.
He was previously arrested for driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident and marijuana possession, state records indicate.
Cannon Farms closed operations for the day as a result of the crash.
“Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident. We appreciate your understanding at this difficult time,” Cannon Farms said in a social media post.
A GoFundMe page has raised more than $20,000 for the victims and their families since the Farmworker Association of Florida began the push earlier Tuesday.
“Farmworkers tend to be forgotten, but it’s important not to forget farmworkers, especially during such difficult times,” the group said.
With Post wires