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U.S. Department of Labor confirms ‘open investigation’ into fatal accident that killed eight farm workers – WFTV

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MARION COUNTY, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Labor said it is investigating a fatal alcohol-influenced accident that killed eight farm workers in Marion County.

Investigators say 41-year-old Bryan Howard was under the influence of alcohol when he hit a bus carrying 53 migrant workers to a watermelon farm in Marion County.

Eight farmers were killed and dozens more hospitalized.

The Florida Highway Patrol is still investigating the crash, but Channel 9 confirmed Thursday that a federal investigation is underway.

Read: Mother of farm worker killed in Marion County bus crash asks for safe return of son’s body

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County. (Marion County Fire Rescue)

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County. (Marion County Fire Rescue)

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County. (Marion County Fire Rescue)

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County. (Marion County Fire Rescue)

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County. (Marion County Fire Rescue)

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County. (Marion County Fire Rescue)

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County. (Marion County Fire Rescue)

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County. (Marion County Fire Rescue)

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Photos: 8 dead, almost 40 injured in bus accident Eight people died and nearly 40 others were injured when a bus carrying farm workers collided with a pickup truck on State Road 40 in Marion County early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Labor told Channel 9 the department is “aware of this tragic accident and has an ongoing investigation.”

The announcement came after the Mexican consulate raised questions about the company that employed the workers.

Documents filed with the Department of Labor show that Olvera Trucking Corporation employed 43 farmworkers on H-2A visas.

Read: Investigators are working to identify two of the eight victims killed in a drunk-driving bus crash in Marion

According to the documents, watermelon harvest workers were paid just under $15 an hour and were scheduled to work six days a week between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Cannon Farms in Dunnellon.

After the tragic accident, the Mexican consulate had been working to support the workers on the bus. Many stayed at a Days Inn in Gainesville.

According to the consulate, conversations with some of the workers there raised concerns about fair wages. The consulate also has new questions about who held the workers’ passports.

Read: Man who drove pickup truck in bus crash in Marion is charged with eight counts of involuntary manslaughter while under the influence

“Someone said: Oh, my passport is not with me. The employer has my passport. That is not right. “You always have to have your own passport ready,” said Juan Sabines Guerrero, the consul general for Mexico in Orlando.

Guerrero said he is eager to contact Olvera Trucking Corporation for more information.

“I have no contact with them whatsoever. I would like to try to make an appointment. I want to know what happened to my nationals,” Guerrero said

Since Tuesday’s accident, Channel 9 has repeatedly reached out to Olvera Trucking Corporation for comment. Despite these repeated attempts, reporters have received no response.

Fatal bus crash in Marion County: How to help victims

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