A Florida pickup truck driver accused of killing eight immigrant farm workers and injuring dozens more in a horror crash told authorities he had drunk marijuana oil before the fatal crash, according to an arrest report. He said he smoked, took prescription drugs and was on his way to a methadone clinic.
Brian McLean Howard, 41, drove his 2001 Ford pickup truck over the center line on Interstate 40 in Ocala early Tuesday morning, causing the bus to skid, run off the road and hit a tree. He was arrested on suspicion of causing the vehicle to overturn.
A heavily bandaged Howard pleaded not guilty to numerous counts of driving under the influence causing death in his first court hearing Wednesday.
After being handcuffed and led away, Howard told investigators that he had smoked marijuana oil and taken two anti-seizure medications and a high blood pressure medication the night before the fatal crash, according to an arrest affidavit. He admitted that.
He then woke up five hours later and was driving to a methadone clinic where he was prescribed daily medication to treat his chipped vertebrae, when he allegedly crashed into a bus.
According to state police, Howard told authorities that he did not remember the fatal accident, but that immediately after the accident, his eyes were bloodshot and watery and he had slurred speech. He also failed several breathalyzer tests, officers said.
Howard, who has a long history of driving offenses, told authorities that he crashed his mother’s car into a tree a few days earlier while trying to avoid an animal, the affidavit said.
He has at least three crashes and numerous traffic tickets dating back to 2006, including one for crossing the center line, according to Marion County court records.
His license has been suspended at least three times, the most recent in 2021 for getting too many citations in a year. In 2013, he was convicted of grand larceny, and a year later his probation was revoked after he tested positive for cocaine.
A judge denied him bail at a hearing Wednesday and set his next court appearance for next month.
Meanwhile, the Mexican Consulate General in Orlando said it was working to provide support to the victims.
Juan Sabines, Mexico’s consul in Orlando, told Spanish-language media that as of Wednesday, seven staff members remained hospitalized, including three in critical condition.
Officials said the seasonal farm workers on board were on their way to harvest watermelons when the accident occurred.
Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador said Wednesday that the bus was carrying 44 Mexican farm workers hired by Mexican-American farmers to work on watermelon farms on H-2A visas. said.
Six of the dead have been identified so far, including Evarad Ventura Hernández, 30, and Cristian Salazar Villeda, 24. Alfredo Tobal Sanchez, 20 years old. Isaias Miranda Pascal, 21 years old. Jose Heriberto Fraga Acosta, 27 years old. and Manuel Perez Rios (46).
with post wire
