Driver in fatal bus crash now charged with 11 counts of DUI with serious bodily injury

A collision between a pickup truck and a bus left eight people dead and 38 people hospitalized on May 14 [Florida Highway Patrol].

The driver of the pickup truck involved in the May 14 bus crash that left eight people dead and sent 38 others to area hospitals has been charged with 11 additional counts of causing bodily injury while driving under the influence.

Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, has been held in the Marion County Jail on eight counts of DUI manslaughter after the collision between his pickup truck and a bus carrying 53 farmworkers on State Road 40. He now faces the additional charges, according to Marion County Clerk of Court records.

At 6:35 a.m. on May 14 while driving his Ford Ranger pickup truck, Howard veered into the lane of oncoming traffic on S.R. 40 and struck an International bus carrying farmworkers on their way to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon. The bus veered off the roadway, ran through two fences, hit a tree and overturned.

Eight people were killed and 38 people were hospitalized, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Eleven victims sustained serious injuries resulting in additional charges for Howard. The injuries include: the amputation of an arm, brain bleeds, pulmonary bruising, a hematoma on a kidney, pulmonary contusions, a collapsed lung, liver lacerations, a kidney laceration, a broken sternum, a broken back, broken pelvis, a broken shoulder, a broken arm, a broken hand, broken wrists, broken ribs, broken jaws, facial fractures, avulsed facial skin, and a broken nose, according to Howard’s arrest affidavit.

Howard was also injured in the crash and transported to a hospital, where records show he failed a number of sobriety tests conducted by FHP. Howard told investigators that he had smoked marijuana oil the night before, and had taken prescribed klonopin, lyrica and clonidine, according to the arrest affidavit.

A witness told FHP that she observed the Ford Ranger around S.R. 40 and U.S. 41 before the crash, and said the driver failed to stay in the correct lane of travel, according to the arrest affidavit.

“She stated that the Ranger traveled onto the shoulder and into the eastbound lane of S.R. 40 numerous times,” according to the arrest affidavit. “Her attention was directed away from the Ranger when the crash occurred, and she did not witness the crash event.”

A paramedic who treated Howard at the scene described his behavior as erratic.

“Several times during their interaction, he began crying before becoming calm again,” according to the arrest affidavit.

A registered nurse at AdventHealth Ocala hospital described Howard’s movements as being slow, his eyes glassy, and his speech thick and slurred.

Howard is being held in the Marion County Jail without bond. He has waived his right to an arraignment, which was scheduled for June 18, and has pleaded not guilty.