In Ocala, Florida, the Florida Highway Patrol arrested Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, for driving under the influence-manslaughter after his pickup truck crashed into a farmworker bus, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. The incident occurred on State Road 40, where Howard’s vehicle crossed into the center line and collided with the bus, causing it to overturn. At least 40 individuals were injured in the crash. Howard has a history of previous arrests for driving violations and marijuana possession, but it is unclear what substance impaired him at the time of the accident.
The farmworkers were en route to Cannon Farms in Dunellon, where watermelon harvesting was taking place. Fatal vehicle crashes are a leading cause of job-related deaths among farmworkers, with statistics showing 81 out of 171 fatalities in 2022. The Mexican consulate in Orlando has offered support to any workers from Mexico involved in the accident, highlighting the migrant nature of the farmworker community. The Labor Department has announced new seat belt requirements for employer vehicles used for farmworkers on temporary visas, with implementation set for June 28. However, some organizations, like the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, have opposed these measures as impractical.
Cannon Farms, a family-owned operation focused on peanut and watermelon cultivation, expressed condolences for the tragic incident and announced its closure for the day. No one answered the phone at Olvera Trucking, the company responsible for transporting the workers. Olvera had advertised for temporary drivers to bus workers to watermelon fields and operate harvesting equipment, with a pay rate of $14.77 per hour. The company recently applied for 43 H-2A workers to harvest watermelons at Cannon Farms, highlighting the reliance on foreign nationals for agricultural labor in Florida.
Groups advocating for farmworker rights called for stricter regulations to protect essential workers, emphasizing the need for enforceable safety provisions like seat belts and safety inspections during transportation. Andres Sequera, a director of mission and ministry for AdventHealth hospitals, provided support to the injured workers, who remained in good spirits despite the ordeal. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers underscored the importance of prioritizing worker safety in transportation to reduce injuries and fatalities. As investigations into the accident continue, calls for improved safety measures for farmworkers in Florida are likely to gain momentum.
