OCALA, Fla. – A tragic accident unfolded early Tuesday in central Florida when a bus carrying farmworkers collided with a pickup truck, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals and leaving approximately 40 others injured. The incident occurred in Marion County, located about 80 miles north of Orlando, at around 6:40 a.m., according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The bus, which was transporting 53 farmworkers, veered off State Road 40, a two-lane road passing through farms, before overturning in a field. The workers, en route to Cannon Farms in Dunellon for watermelon harvesting, were affected by the crash. The aftermath of the collision was captured in photos by the Ocala Star-Banner, depicting the overturned bus and the significantly damaged pickup truck.
Statistics from federal records highlight the dangers faced by farmworkers, with vehicle crashes standing as the primary cause of job-related fatalities among this group in 2022. Out of 171 fatalities, 81 were attributed to transportation accidents. The absence of seat belts in the bus and weather conditions’ role in the collision remain under investigation.
Cannon Farms, a longstanding family-owned agricultural business specializing in peanuts and watermelons, expressed its condolences and made the decision to close temporarily to honor the victims. The company’s dedication to producing and distributing quality produce across the United States and Canada underscores its commitment to its legacy spanning over a century.
Notably, the transportation company involved, Olvera Trucking, had been recently seeking drivers for its operations related to watermelon harvesting at Cannon Farms. The advertised position required busing workers to fields for subsequent equipment operation. Questions around the migrant status of the workers on the bus arise, particularly as Olvera had applied for H-2A visas for foreign workers to engage in watermelon harvesting activities.
The H-2A program, enabling U.S. employers to hire foreign nationals for temporary agricultural work, plays a vital role in meeting labor demands in various states. In Florida, where an estimated 50,000 H-2A workers are employed annually, the need for migrant labor in the farming sector remains significant. The interconnectedness between companies like Olvera Trucking, Cannon Farms, and the workers underscores the complexities within the agricultural industry.
As authorities delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the tragic collision, the community mourns the loss of life and injuries sustained. The repercussions of the incident extend beyond the physical damage, shedding light on the vulnerabilities faced by farmworkers and the critical role they play in sustaining the agricultural landscape.