Farmworker advocates call for support after fatal traffic accident | News

Florida farm worker advocates are calling for community support after a traffic accident in Marion County killed eight farm workers and injured dozens on Tuesday. The workers traveled on a bus to a farm in Dunnellon.

The driver of the pickup truck that hit the bus carrying the workers has been charged with eight counts of drunken driving and manslaughter.

According to the Mexican president, 44 of those passengers worked for a Mexican-American farmer on an H-2A visa.

Ernesto Ruiz of the Farmworker Association of Florida said the injured workers’ families may depend on their wages and that this crash could have far-reaching effects on their families.

“We talked to the brother of one of these workers, and he said that one of the survivors, his first concern was, ‘Are we going to work tomorrow?'” Ruiz said. “It shows how serious it is why they are here. And the reason for the urgency why they are here. They leave their families in a foreign country where they are often treated badly, not because it makes them happy. But because it is an economic necessity.” Working in agriculture is poorly paid and offers few benefits. Ruiz said this accident places an even greater financial burden on those involved.

“Workers don’t have health insurance coverage. They are here without any health care.”

Ruiz said in some cases they may be entitled to workers’ compensation: “If they are injured while they are not working, as is the case here, our understanding is that it is the responsibility of the trucking company.”

Ruiz is calling on the community to honor the work of these farmworkers, and his organization has launched a Go Fund Me to support the victims and families.

“We often hear that the many migrant workers who come here to commit crimes are immoral people, and that makes us angry,” Ruiz said.

“It is unfortunate that these eight people lost their lives. Some people don’t have fathers, some people don’t have brothers and sons now because of this reckless drunk.”

Both the League of United Latin American Citizens and the Professional Fire Fighters of Marion County expressed condolences for the victims and their families.

Marian Summerall is a reporter at Central Florida Public Media, Central Florida’s public media news source. For more audio and digital content, visit cfpublic.org.