The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested and charged the driver of a pickup truck that crashed into a farmworker bus early Tuesday, leaving eight people dead and 40 others hospitalized.

Authorities confirmed Bryan Maclean Howard was charged with eight counts of DUI manslaughter, according to a Tuesday afternoon update from Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

The 2010 International Bus was carrying 53 workers around 6:30 a.m., when the vehicle collided with a 2001 Ford Ranger pickup truck in “a sideswiped manner” on West State Road 40 in Marion County, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) said.

After the collision, the bus careened off the road and plowed through a fence before overturning.

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Of those hospitalized, eight people were critically injured, while 30 others were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Howard was also hospitalized with serious injuries, officials said.

“Our sympathies and prayers are with the families of the deceased. Consistent with our duties, the Florida Highway Patrol will conduct both a thorough and exhaustive traffic crash and criminal investigation,” FHP said in a statement. 

Identities of the deceased will be released pending next of kin notification.

Officials said at least eight people have died and 38 others were injured. (Marion County Fire Rescue)

According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Howard has a lengthy criminal history dating back to the mid 2000s with charges including driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of a crash, trespassing, drug possession and grand theft.

The bus and a pickup truck collided, sending the bus careening off the road, where it went through a fence, struck a tree and overturned, officials said. (Marion County Fire Rescue)

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods confirmed during a news conference that the bus was carrying migrant workers, which he said was common in the agricultural county.

The bus was taking the workers to Cannon Farms in Dunnellon when the fatal crash occurred, officials said.

The investigation into the crash is expected to last at least six months. (Marion County Fire Rescue)

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The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said West Highway 40 was closed due to a “severe accident with fatalities,” and advised drivers to take an alternate route.

The bus and a pickup truck collided before the bus careened off the road, the Florida Highway Patrol said. (Marion County Sheriff’s Office)

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The FHP is leading the investigation. FHP Lt. Pat Riordan said the investigation would be “lengthy,” with no conclusion expected for at least six months.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice sailed to victory in the state’s Senate Republican primary on Tuesday evening, winning more than 60% of the vote with nearly 90% counted, boosting the GOP’s already-high hopes of flipping the critical seat.

Justice had been the favorite to win ever since he entered the race last year. 

He beat out a crowded primary field that included House Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W. Va., Justice’s leading opponent, who is a member of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus.

Mooney had consistently sought to paint Justice as a “RINO,” or a “Republican In Name Only.” But it appears that Justice’s popularity in the state and pivot to the right were enough to overwhelm attacks against his credibility in the GOP.

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Justice is a former Democrat who announced he was switching party affiliations on stage during a rally with former President Trump in 2017.

Trump announced in October that he was backing Justice, writing on Truth Social, “Big Jim Justice, the Governor of the Great State of West Virginia (I LOVE WEST VIRGINIA!), is BIG in every way, but especially in his wonderful HEART! Strong on the Border, our Great Military & Vets, CLEAN COAL & Energy Dominance, the Economy, Stopping Inflation, & Protecting our 2nd Amendment, Big Jim will be a Great UNITED STATES SENATOR, and has my Complete & Total Endorsement. HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!!!”

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Justice announced during a 2017 Trump rally that he was switching parties from Democrat to Republican. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

The ex-president swept West Virginia by roughly 40 points in the 2020 presidential election.

Justice’s victory on Tuesday night also gives Republicans good odds of winning the state’s Senate seat in November, particularly because of Sen. Joe Manchin’s decision not to seek re-election.

Manchin, D-W.Va., a moderate Democrat who’s fended off past challenges in an increasingly red state, revealed in November 2023 that this Senate term would be his last.

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Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin’s retirement makes the path to victory easier for Justice in November. (Getty Images)

Justice had said in response to Manchin’s announcement, “Senator Joe Manchin and I have not always agreed on policy and politics, but we’re both lifelong West Virginians who love this state beyond belief, and I respect and thank him for his many years of public service.”

Mooney had been endorsed by the conservative group Club For Growth. In addition to Trump, Justice’s backers included the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), and the Senate Leadership Fund, an outside group linked to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Cockroaches and mosquitoes are not the only unwanted guests to worry about if you’re a South Florida homeowner. One Miami woman sent an eviction notice to a very aggressive Iguana this week. 

Owner of Humane Iguana Control Michael Ronquillo shared more details of the capture caught on video with Fox News Digital in an interview. 

“As the homeowner arrived and opened her front door, a large female green iguana dashed right into her house,” he said.

“The iguana darted to the living room and hid under the couch, where the homeowner was able to scare it away. It then made its way to the kitchen. Finding a gap underneath the kitchen cabinet, the iguana decided to camp out in there.”

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Mating season for iguanas in South Florida runs from February through March, where the female invasive reptiles often burrow in inconvenient places to lay their eggs, like pools or homes. Per Humane Iguana Control’s FAQ page, green iguanas often cause structural damage to private property if not safely removed.

When the female iguana burrowed in the kitchen cabinet, the homeowner called Humane Iguana Control to remove the invasive reptile. “Once we arrived, we had to make sure we could locate the iguana effectively to not cause any further damage to their kitchen.”

Given that the space between the cabinets was tight, the experts needed to use technology to locate the iguana. “Using our endoscopy camera, we were able to pinpoint the exact location of the female iguana. She made it quite difficult to reach as we had to disassemble some cabinet doors and panels to reach her.”

Locating the invasive reptile was not the only hiccup in the removal process. “Once the iguana noticed us, she was ready to make another run. Luckily, with our quick reflexes, we were able to capture her.”

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Humane Iguana control uses hand-grabbing and pole snaring, as seen in video and photos provided of this in-home capture. Both methods are considered humane as they cause no harm to either the invasive reptile or to private property. It is illegal to relocate iguanas under Florida law, as they must be euthanized after capture.

Ronquillo advises anyone who faces iguanas on their property to contact the experts for help, as the reptiles can often die stuck in place if left for too long. “It was very important to locate and remove the iguana as it could have died in that kitchen cabinet which could have left a rotting smell.”

Humane Iguana control removed a mature female iguana from a Miami kitchen cabinet this week after the invasive reptile followed the homeowner through the front door. (Humane Iguana Control)

Iguanas, when cornered, will often bite, scratch or whip their tails to defend themselves, causing injuries and property damage. Using an abundance of caution and maintaining distance are recommended while waiting for help to arrive.

“We always advise homeowners to contact iguana removal experts to remove iguanas to avoid bodily harm and potential health risks. These invasive reptiles have razor sharp teeth and nails, which can easily cut through human and pet flesh.”

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has placed the green iguana on a prohibited nonnative species list since April 29, 2021.

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