Driver in horror Florida bus crash that killed eight migrant workers and injured 45 admits he had mixed pot oil with medication before getting behind the wheel - but pleads not guilty to DUI manslaughter

The Florida trucker who crashed into a bus and left 45 migrants workers injured and eight dead said that he mixed pot oil and medication before getting behind the wheel. 

Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, was arrested on Tuesday on eight charges of driving under the influence-manslaughter after he crashed into a bus in Dunnellon, Marion County, around 6.30am. 

The bus was carrying 53 workers to a watermelon farm, which officials confirmed was Cannon Farms, when it collided with the Ford Ranger truck. 

The incident sent the bus flying off the road and through a fence where it rolled over, killing eight passengers and wounding 45 others. 

Howard has pleaded not guilty to DUI manslaughter and remained jailed without bond as of Wednesday. 

Bryan Maclean Howard, 41, was arrested on Tuesday after he crashed into a bus, injuring and killing migrant workers. He told cops on Wednesday that he mixed pot oil and medication before driving

The incident sent the bus flying off the road and through a fence where it rolled over, killing eight passengers and wounding 45 others

According to Howard's arrest report, troopers say he had bloodshot and watery eyes and slurred speech after the crash, which he said he didn't remember. 

He told an Florida Highway Patrol investigator that he had crashed his mother's car into a tree while avoiding an animal a few days earlier. 

Howard also said that on Monday night he had taken two anti-seizure drugs and medication for high blood pressure, in addition to smoking marijuana oil. 

He said he woke up about five hours later and was driving to a methadone clinic where he receives daily medication for a chipped vertebrae, according to the affidavit. 

It is unclear exactly what medication he took, but Howard failed multiple sobriety tests before he was arrested. 

Responding to a judge by teleconference from jail on Wednesday, he said he's a self-employed painter and drywall installer with $700 in the bank. 

Howard's head was bandaged and he wore a protective gown typically given to inmates on suicide watch. 

On Wednesday morning, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said that the 44 Mexican farmworkers on the bus were hired by a Mexican-American farmer to work on the watermelon farm under H-2A visas. 

Florida farms use about 50,000 H-2A workers each year, more than any other state, according to the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association.

According to Howard's arrest report, troopers say he had bloodshot and watery eyes and slurred speech after the crash, which he said he didn´t remember. (pictured: the truck Howard was driving) 

Howard also said that on Monday night he had taken two anti-seizure drugs and medication for high blood pressure, in addition to smoking marijuana oil. (pictured: the bus is seen flipped over on the grass after the crash) 

Crews from Marion County Fire Rescue and the Marion County Sheriff's Office assist victims from the horror crash on Tuesday morning

Evarado Ventura Hernández, 30, Cristian Salazar Villeda, 24, Alfredo Tovar Sánchez, 20, Isaías Miranda Pascal, 21, José Heriberto Fraga Acosta, 27, and Manuel Pérez Ríos, 46, are six of the eight workers that died. 

Andres Sequera, a director of mission and ministry for AdventHealth hospitals, said chaplains were visiting the injured workers, and they 'were in good spirits for what they have been through.'

'We were able to provide support, presence, and prayer when it was asked of us,' Sequera said. 

FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner said: 'Initial investigation reveals that the two vehicles made contact in a sideswipe type collision. 

'Post collision, the bus traveled off the roadway, through a fence, and then overturned. Currently, eight people have been confirmed deceased and approximately 40 people have been transported to local medical facilities.

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

Cannon Farms, a family-owned operation that sends the melons to grocery stores across the U.S. and Canada, said it would remain closed through Wednesday.

'Thank you to all who have reached out and offered condolences, help and prayers for the people hurt in the crash,' Cannon Farms said in a Facebook post.

Evarado Ventura Hernández, 30, Cristian Salazar Villeda, 24, Alfredo Tovar Sánchez, 20, Isaías Miranda Pascal, 21, José Heriberto Fraga Acosta, 27, and Manuel Pérez Ríos, 46, are six of the eight workers that died in the crash 

Officials said the bus was traveling to Cannon Farms, around 15 miles from the crash site 

Florida officials closed sections of State Road 40 West as they deal with the fatal wreck

The company said that the bus was operated by Olvera Trucking Harvesting Corp.

A Labor Department document shows Olvera also applied for 43 H-2A workers to harvest watermelons at Cannon Farms this month, again at a base rate of $14.77 an hour, with promises of housing and transportation to and from the fields. 

It was not immediately known if Olvera´s vehicle, which the highway patrol described as a 'retired' school bus, had seat belts.

Marion County court records revealed that Howard has had at least three crashes and numerous traffic tickets dating back to 2006, including one citation for crossing the center line. 

His license has been suspended at least three times, the latest in 2021 for getting too many citations within a year. 

In 2013, he was convicted of grand theft and a year later, his probation was revoked after he tested positive for cocaine.

The judge denied bond, appointed a public defender and set his next court appearance for next month.