A crash on SR-40 in Ocala involving a bus killed eight people and hospitalized dozens of others on Tuesday, Florida Highway Patrol said. According to FHP, eight of those people are critically injured. In total, FHP has reported 53 patients in this massive crash."There is high probability this may be beyond eight fatalities," Lt. Patrick Riordan with FHP said during a press conference. RELATED: What we know about the Ocala bus crash that killed 8According to FHP, the 2010 International bus was transporting 53 farm workers to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon when the crash happened at 6:37 a.m. on SR-40 just west of SW 148 Ct.For reasons to be determined, the bus and a Ford Ranger truck collided in a "sideswiped manner," FHP said. After the collision, the bus traveled off the roadway, went through a fence, struck a tree and then overturned. Riordan said the truck, which was traveling east on SR-40, moved toward the center line and collided with the bus that was traveling west.Officials promised their investigation would be relentless, but with that, comes time, Riordan said."At this point, we are conducting a massive traffic homicide investigation," Riordan said. "This will be a very lengthy and thorough investigation. I can tell you that it's going to be probably six months, at least, before we can conclude factually what transpired here today." Just before 5 p.m. Tuesday, FHP announced the arrest of Bryan Maclean Howard, the driver of the truck. He is facing eight counts of DUI manslaughter, FHP said. When troopers responded to a hospital in Ocala, they say Howard's eyes were bloodshot and watery, and added that his speech was slurred, according to an arrest report.The arrest report also says Howard admitted to smoking marijuana with his friend the night before and to taking three prescription medications before he went to bed.He was denied bond in a first court appearance Wednesday. Troopers say that Howard was involved in another crash just three days before hitting the bus, the arrest report says. According to court records obtained by WESH, Howard has been convicted 20 times since 2003, and all but three of those cases are traffic offenses. Related: Man accused of deadly Marion County bus crash has been convicted 20 times since 2003Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said he believes the victims are migrant farm workers, which is very common for the county this time of the year, and rejected questions about their legal status. "They are hard working individuals. There is absolutely nothing wrong with them being here," Woods said. On social media, Cannon Farms said they will be closed Tuesday. "Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident," Cannon Farms said.Related: Farm where workers were headed closes 'out of respect' for workers killedOn Tuesday afternoon, AdventHealth told WESH 2 they were currently treating one patient from the crash. Several other patients were treated at AdventHealth and then released. "Our prayers are with all those affected by the tragic bus accident in Ocala," AdventHealth said in a statement to WESH 2. "Our immediate priority is to provide exceptional medical care to those injured, and compassionate support to our patients and their loved ones."HCA Florida West Marion Hospital also took patients from the crash and told WESH 2 that five were in the emergency room on Tuesday morning. SR-40 was shut down in both directions, but the Florida Department of Transportation said the road has now reopened to traffic. Marion County Public Schools says one of their school buses was not involved in the crash but says they did transport victims to the hospital. The Farmworker Association of Florida has set up a verified GoFundMe to support the victims and their families who were affected by the incident.Those interested in donating can click here.Family members of loved ones killed or people injured in the crash in Ocala can access financial support and emotional support by contacting 877-MADD-HELP or 877-ASK-MADD.The support lines are staffed 24 hours a day and have bilingual support staff online for Spanish-speaking people.
OCALA, Fla. —
A crash on SR-40 in Ocala involving a bus killed eight people and hospitalized dozens of others on Tuesday, Florida Highway Patrol said.
According to FHP, eight of those people are critically injured. In total, FHP has reported 53 patients in this massive crash.
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"There is high probability this may be beyond eight fatalities," Lt. Patrick Riordan with FHP said during a press conference.
RELATED: What we know about the Ocala bus crash that killed 8
According to FHP, the 2010 International bus was transporting 53 farm workers to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon when the crash happened at 6:37 a.m. on SR-40 just west of SW 148 Ct.
For reasons to be determined, the bus and a Ford Ranger truck collided in a "sideswiped manner," FHP said. After the collision, the bus traveled off the roadway, went through a fence, struck a tree and then overturned.
Riordan said the truck, which was traveling east on SR-40, moved toward the center line and collided with the bus that was traveling west.
Officials promised their investigation would be relentless, but with that, comes time, Riordan said.
"At this point, we are conducting a massive traffic homicide investigation," Riordan said. "This will be a very lengthy and thorough investigation. I can tell you that it's going to be probably six months, at least, before we can conclude factually what transpired here today."
Just before 5 p.m. Tuesday, FHP announced the arrest of Bryan Maclean Howard, the driver of the truck. He is facing eight counts of DUI manslaughter, FHP said.
FHP
When troopers responded to a hospital in Ocala, they say Howard's eyes were bloodshot and watery, and added that his speech was slurred, according to an arrest report.
The arrest report also says Howard admitted to smoking marijuana with his friend the night before and to taking three prescription medications before he went to bed.
He was denied bond in a first court appearance Wednesday.
Troopers say that Howard was involved in another crash just three days before hitting the bus, the arrest report says.
According to court records obtained by WESH, Howard has been convicted 20 times since 2003, and all but three of those cases are traffic offenses.
Related: Man accused of deadly Marion County bus crash has been convicted 20 times since 2003
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said he believes the victims are migrant farm workers, which is very common for the county this time of the year, and rejected questions about their legal status.
"They are hard working individuals. There is absolutely nothing wrong with them being here," Woods said.
On social media, Cannon Farms said they will be closed Tuesday.
"Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident," Cannon Farms said.
Related: Farm where workers were headed closes 'out of respect' for workers killed
On Tuesday afternoon, AdventHealth told WESH 2 they were currently treating one patient from the crash. Several other patients were treated at AdventHealth and then released.
"Our prayers are with all those affected by the tragic bus accident in Ocala," AdventHealth said in a statement to WESH 2. "Our immediate priority is to provide exceptional medical care to those injured, and compassionate support to our patients and their loved ones."
HCA Florida West Marion Hospital also took patients from the crash and told WESH 2 that five were in the emergency room on Tuesday morning.
SR-40 was shut down in both directions, but the Florida Department of Transportation said the road has now reopened to traffic.
Marion County Public Schools says one of their school buses was not involved in the crash but says they did transport victims to the hospital.
The Farmworker Association of Florida has set up a verified GoFundMe to support the victims and their families who were affected by the incident.
Those interested in donating can click here.
Family members of loved ones killed or people injured in the crash in Ocala can access financial support and emotional support by contacting 877-MADD-HELP or 877-ASK-MADD.
The support lines are staffed 24 hours a day and have bilingual support staff online for Spanish-speaking people.
