A terrible accident happened when a bus carrying migrant farm workers crashed, resulting in the loss of eight lives. It’s a very sad and difficult time for the families of those who passed away and for the communities they belonged to.
It’s a reminder that we need to take better care when it comes to transportation to prevent accidents like this from happening again. Let us delve into all the details about this incident!
Eight Migrant Farm Workers Killed In Bus Crash
At least eight individuals lost their lives, and another eight suffered severe injuries during a tragic incident in Florida on Tuesday morning. The accident occurred when a bus, transporting dozens of workers to a watermelon farm, crashed and flipped over on State Route 40.
The bus was carrying 53 laborers when a Ford Ranger traveling in the opposite direction reportedly veered into its lane. Witnesses at the scene described a collision between the two vehicles, causing the bus to veer off the road, crash through a fence, collide with two trees, and overturn, as reported by the Florida Highway Patrol.
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Apart from the eight fatalities and eight individuals in critical condition, another ten sustained severe injuries, while approximately 25 passengers on the bus suffered minor injuries. The highway patrol revealed that around 40 individuals were taken to hospitals.
They cautioned that the number of fatalities might rise due to the condition of those critically injured in the bus. Following the incident, the pickup truck driver, Bryan Maclean Howard, was apprehended at a hospital where he had received treatment. He faces eight counts of DUI manslaughter, as stated by the state highway patrol on Tuesday afternoon.
Marion County records indicate that Howard, aged 40, received citations for numerous traffic offenses from 2004 to 2019.
These infractions included not wearing a seatbelt, driving with a suspended or expired license, disregarding a red light, reckless driving, and fleeing the scene of an accident involving property damage. Additionally, he has been convicted of possessing drug paraphernalia and grand theft.
LULAC Urges More Protection For Farm Workers
Following the crash on Tuesday, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) urged Florida to enhance safety measures for farm workers. LULAC President Domingo Garcia emphasized the significance of farmworkers in supplying food and sustaining the state and nation.
He stressed the importance of safeguarding these essential workers, who are vital to Florida’s economy. Julie Taylor, the executive director of the National Farm Worker Ministry, expressed concern about the repercussions of work-related accidents on farmworkers and their families.
She highlighted that many farmworkers lack health insurance and, when injured, are unable to work, resulting in financial hardships for their families.
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