OCALA, Fla. (TND) — Eight people were killed and more than 40 others were hurt in a bus crash in Florida early Tuesday morning, according to authorities.

Lt. Pat Riordan, who is public affairs officer for the Florida Highway Patrol, said a 2010 International Bus was carrying at least 50 migrant farm workers when a 2001 Ford Ranger driving in the opposite direction traveled toward the center line along a state highway around 6:35 a.m.

The bus and truck then sideswiped each other, he said.

Authorities said the driver of the truck, identified as 41-year-old Bryan Maclean Howard, was later arrested on eight counts of driving under the influence-manslaughter.

Riordan said the veered off the road onto the grassy shoulder after the collision. It crashed through a fence, hit a tree and overturned, ending up on its side in a field.

We are conducting a massive traffic homicide investigation. This will be a very long and lengthy investigation," Riordan said during a news conference, adding it will likely take at least six months to determine what caused the crash.

Riordan said at least eight of the 40 people were seriously hurt, adding that the driver of the truck was rushed to the hospital. Their conditions were not immediately known.

There's high probability this may be beyond eight fatalities," said Riordan.

More than three dozen other people were taken to hospital, where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office described it as "a severe accident with fatalities." The sheriff said the bus was carrying migrant workers at the time of the crash.

“They are hardworking individuals and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with them being here,” the sheriff said.

Authorities said workers were being transported to Cannon Farms in Dunellon, which has been harvesting watermelons.

"We will be closed today out of respect to the losses and injuries endured early this morning in the accident that took place to the Olvera Trucking Harvesting Corp.," Cannon Farms wrote on Facebook.

"Please pray with us for the families and the loved ones involved in this tragic accident," the post noted. "We appreciate your understanding at this difficult time."

The post quickly garnered more than 100 comments, including the following:

Praying now! We saw the rescue on the way to school.""Praying for all involved, especially the families and also the first responders. Absolutely heartbreaking. May they RIP."We're so sorry. We saw the EMS coming back from taking my son to West Port. It was horrific. I'm praying for everyone involved."

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner said the names of the people who were killed will be released pending next of kin notification.

"Our sympathies and prayers are with the families of the deceased," Kerner said in a news release.

The sheriff's office said traffic West Highway 40 was closed "and will be for most of the day."

The department urged drivers to "take an alternate route this morning and stay safe on the roads."

The sheriff's office also said the bus involved in the crash was not a Marion County School Bus, despite what some people have posted on social media.

________

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.

ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7zZqroqeeYsSwvsudZpqsXaGyor%2FTZm9mo5mhuaawjKycr52ilrluu9OhnKurXZ3Cs8CMoqVmnpykv6qwwGaZrqtdmL%2Biv8dmqZ6on6fBbrLAq6Rmr5%2BnuKa%2B0mabnpmknXqqusmuqZ6cXZ67q8HRopysZZietKnDwLJkqZmkp7ytecinrZ6rpJ60osDIqKU%3D