8 people died and 45 were hospitalized in Ocala

A crash involving a bus on SR-40 in Ocala on Tuesday left eight people dead and dozens more hospitalized, the Florida Highway Patrol said. According to FHP, eight of those people have life-threatening injuries. In total, FHP reported 53 patients in this massive accident. “There is a high probability that there are more than eight fatalities,” said Lt. Patrick Riordan of FHP during a press conference. RELATED: What we know about the Ocala bus crash that killed 8 people. According to FHP, the 2010 international bus was transporting 53 farm workers to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon when the accident happened at 6:37 a.m. on SR-40 west of SW 148 Ct. For reasons yet to be determined, the bus and a Ford Ranger truck collided “sideways,” FHP said. After the collision, the bus left the roadway, crashed through a fence, hit a tree and then rolled over, according to FHP. Riordan said the truck, which was traveling east on SR-40, crossed into the center line and collided with the bus, which was traveling west. Officials promised their investigation would be relentless, but time would come, Riordan said. “At this point,” “We are conducting a comprehensive vehicular homicide investigation,” Riordan said. “This will be a very lengthy and thorough investigation. I can tell you it will probably be at least six months before we can actually come to a conclusion about what happened here today.” Shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday, FHP announced the arrest of Bryan Maclean Howard, the driver of the truck, known. He faces eight counts of involuntary manslaughter under the influence of alcohol, FHP said. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said he believes the victims were migrant farm workers, a common occurrence in the county this time of year, and declined questions about their legal status. “They are hard-working people. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with them being here,” Woods said. On social media, Cannon Farms said they will be closed today. “Please join us in praying for the families and loved ones involved in this tragic accident,” Cannon Farms said. Related: Farm to which workers were taken closes “out of respect” for the workers killed. AdventHealth is currently treating one patient from the accident, the hospital told WESH 2. Several other patients were treated at AdventHealth and then released. “Our prayers are with everyone affected by the tragic bus accident in Ocala this morning,” 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 patients “HCA Florida West Marion Hospital is also accepting patients from the accident and told WESH 2 there are currently five in the emergency room. SR-40 was closed in both directions, but the Florida Department of Transportation said the road has now reopened to traffic. Marion County Public Schools says one of its school buses was not involved in the crash, but said they transported the victims to the hospital. The Farmworker Association of Florida has set up a verified GoFundMe to support the victims and their families affected by the incident. If you would like to donate, you can click here. Family members of loved ones killed or injured in the Ocala accident can access financial assistance and emotional support by contacting 877-MADD-HELP or 877-ASK-MADD. The support hotlines are staffed 24 hours a day and have online bilingual support staff for Spanish speakers.

OCALA, Fla. –

A crash involving a bus on SR-40 in Ocala on Tuesday left eight people dead and dozens more hospitalized, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

According to FHP, eight of those people have life-threatening injuries. In total, FHP reported 53 patients in this serious accident.

“There is a high probability that there are more than eight fatalities,” said Lt. Patrick Riordan of FHP during a press conference.

RELATED: What we know about the Ocala bus crash that killed eight people

According to FHP, the 2010 International bus was transporting 53 farm workers to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon when the accident occurred at 6:37 a.m. on SR-40 west of SW 148 Ct.

For reasons yet to be determined, the bus and a Ford Ranger truck collided “sideways,” FHP said. After the collision, the bus left the roadway, crashed through a fence, hit a tree and then rolled over, according to FHP.

Riordan said the truck, which was traveling east on SR-40, crossed toward the center line and collided with the bus, which was traveling west.

Officials promised their investigation would be relentless, but time would come, Riordan said.

“We are currently conducting an extensive vehicular homicide investigation,” Riordan said. “This will be a very lengthy and thorough investigation. I can tell you it will probably be at least six months before we can actually come to a conclusion about what happened here today.”

Shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday, FHP announced the arrest of Bryan Maclean Howard, the driver of the truck. He faces eight counts of involuntary manslaughter under the influence of alcohol, FHP said.

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said he believes the victims were migrant farm workers, a common occurrence in the county this time of year, and declined questions about their legal status.

“They are hard-working people. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with them being here,” Woods said.

On social media, Cannon Farms said they will be closed today.

“Please join us in praying for the families and loved ones involved in this tragic accident,” Cannon Farms said.

Related: The farm where the workers were taken is closed “out of respect” for the workers who were killed

AdventHealth is currently treating one patient following the accident, the hospital told WESH 2. Several other patients were treated at AdventHealth and then discharged.

“Our prayers are with everyone affected by the tragic bus accident in Ocala this morning,” 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 patients offer.” Beloved.”

HCA Florida West Marion Hospital is also accepting patients from the accident and told WESH 2 there are currently five in the emergency room.

SR-40 was closed in both directions, but the Florida Department of Transportation said the road has now reopened to traffic.

Marion County Public Schools says one of its school buses was not involved in the crash, but said they transported the victims to the hospital.

The Farmworker Association of Florida has set up a verified GoFundMe to support the victims and their families affected by the incident.

If you would like to donate, you can click here.

Family members of loved ones killed or injured in the Ocala accident can receive financial and emotional support by contacting 877-MADD-HELP or 877-ASK-MADD.

The support hotlines are staffed 24 hours a day and have online bilingual support staff for Spanish speakers.