Mexico City, Mexico –The Mexican Consulate in Orlando continues to provide support to the families of Mexican workers killed in a Florida bus crash. The crash happened May 14 north of Citrus County.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) indicated that a driver under the influence of alcohol hit the bus, causing it to leave the countryside road and roll.
Eight Mexican agricultural workers who were traveling on H2A work visas were killed when the bus rolled after hitting a tree. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), six other Mexican workers are in serious condition and another three in critical condition.
The alleged drunk driver has been arrested and is facing eight charges of involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Originally it was reported that 55 people were traveling on the bus, however, information has been corroborated by the FHP and the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor that 44 people were being transported.
The Mexican Consulate in Orlando moved to the accident area and the hospitals where the injured people are located. The titular consul, Juan Sabines Guerrero, and consular staff are at the hotel where the company is hosting workers during the agricultural season in Gainsville, Florida, in order to continue conducting protection interviews to complete the list of people affected.
The Consulate will continue to communicate with authorities from the Highway Patrol and the Wage and Hour Office to provide consular assistance to affected workers and the families of the deceased.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs deeply regrets the death of the eight compatriots,” the SRE reported in a statement.
The accident happened at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning when the driver of a pickup truck hit the bus. Bryan “H” , the driver of the pickup truck accused of colliding with the bus, was in Florida court Wednesday morning.
According to U.S. media, 41-year-old Bryan “H” is facing eight charges of DUI manslaughter.
According to Marion Country Court records, his criminal history goes back to 2006, which to date includes charges of leaving the scene of an accident, drug possession, accident with property damage and driving with a suspended license.
