OCALA — A man charged with DUI manslaughter after his truck crashed into a bus, killing eight Mexican day laborers in downtown florida, He now faces charges for the injuries of other farm workers who were in the same truck, authorities said.
Last Thursday, 11 counts of serious injury by driving under the influence of substances were filed against Bryan Howard, who already faces eight counts of manslaughter by driving under the influence of substances in connection with the accident, which occurred two weeks ago.
Court records show Howard, 41, pleaded not guilty and waived his right to appear for charges next month.
The Florida Highway Patrol reported that Howard was driving his 2001 Ford Ranger pickup truck when he crossed the center line on State Highway 40, a straight two-lane road. The pickup truck hit the side of the bus, causing it to leave the road around 6:40 a.m. on May 14. The truck crashed into a fence and a tree, and overturned. In addition to the eight dead, at least 40 others personas They were injured.
The laborers were on their way to harvest watermelons at Cannon Farms in Dunnellon, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of Orlando in north-central Marion County, Florida. The accident occurred in a rural hilly area, with numerous horse farms and abundant fruit and vegetable fields.
According to the arrest report, Howard had red, watery eyes and slurred speech after the accident, which he said he did not remember.
He told an investigator that, the night before the accident, he had taken two anticonvulsants and medications for hypertension, in addition to smoking marijuana oil. He said he woke up about five hours later and was headed to a methadone clinic where he received daily medication for a vertebra injury, according to his affidavit.
Howard tested positive for multiple substance use tests and was arrested, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Source: With information from AP
