A judge in Florida has refused to grant bond for the driver of a pickup truck involved in a collision with a bus, resulting in the death of eight farm workers.
Bryan Maclean Howard, age 41, faces eight allegations of DUI manslaughter associated with Tuesday's lethal event where he was driving a 2001 Ford Ranger that drifted towards the center of Highway 40 west of Ocala and collided with a bus carrying above 50 farm workers.
The bus lost control, went through a fence, and flipped over, as per the Florida Highway Patrol. Besides the eight fatalities, at least 40 people were wounded.
Citing Howard's participation in a car accident "no less than three days before" the bus crash, a state judge also ruled that he's forbidden from driving any vehicle pending the case and cannot consume, possess, or even be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medications without a prescription.
We've asked the public defender's office for comment on this situation, and Howard's next legal date is scheduled for the 18th of June.
This story is still in progress and could be updated.
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Despite the court's restrictions on his driving and substance use, the public defender's office stated their intention to argue for Howard's release on bond, considering us as part of his family who can provide sufficient supervision. However, the judge expressed skepticism about the reliability of this factor in light of Howard's recent history.
Source: edition.cnn.com
