Not a day goes by that Ramon Perez Ponce isn't reminded of May 14, 2024."It was a day like any other," he said. "We got up to work. We woke up around 4 in the morning."Ponce, a bus driver and 42 farmworkers loaded their bus in Gainesville to begin the long journey to Dunnellon to work at Cannon Farms.But they never made it to their destination.Ponce and many of his colleagues were asleep on the bus after a long night and working the day before. At 6:40 a.m., a 2001 Ford Ranger troopers say was driven by Bryan Howard crossed the center line of State Road 40 and hit the bus. The driver of the bus lost control and veered off the road."From there, the bus was destroyed by a tree. That is when many of my colleagues were ejected from the bus. Some died instantly others were gravely injured," Ponce said. Related: 'Massive traffic homicide investigation': 8 dead, dozens hospitalized in Ocala bus crash At that point, Ponce said he grabbed onto his seat and anything he could for what was about to come."In that moment I was shocked. Everything happened in a matter of seconds. At the point of impact, the bus overturned and some of my colleagues fell on top of me," Ponce said.Ponce and others remained buried under the bodies until help arrived."He (Ramon) suffered contusion to his lungs, rib injuries, hip fracture, low back injuries, cervical spine injuries, jaw injuries," said Attorney Jesus Elizarraras who represents Ponce and many of the injured victims.Elizarraras has been able to get them payment for lost wages and medical benefits through workman's comp provided by Impact Staff Leasing, the company that employs the farmworkers.However, while receiving care, Elizarraras said the farmworkers' visas expired. Despite fighting to get an extension, many of the workers were forced to leave the country."I have one client who was still in a wheelchair. As soon as the visa expired he was sent back. He had a fractured leg. He was in a cast and he had no one here as far as a cousin or brother. He relied on other co-workers to push him in a wheelchair and get him to the airport," Elizarraras said."It totally changed the plans we had," said Ponce. "We came here with the American dream. Like all Mexicans, we wanted to work with our H2-A visa. We came to work legally."As for the families of the deceased victims, workman's comp is covering $150,000 per victim."It is very difficult for individuals to come from a different country. They don't speak English. They are getting under paid, working hard, doing jobs that other individuals do not want to do. All of a sudden there is an accident and there is no one to account for them. We want to make sure justice is done and their voice is heard," said Criminal Defense Attorney Jose Rivas. Rivas represents one of the deceased victim's family. He is working to get the money they are entitled to as they live in a rural part of Mexico.He is also fighting to bring justice for the victim's families.Howard was charged with eight counts of DUI manslaughter for the accident and even more counts of DUI with serious injury.Related: Truck driver involved in Ocala bus crash that killed 8 arrested on DUI manslaughter chargesArrest records say he had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and admitted to smoking "marijuana oil" and taking prescription medications the night before. In June, Howard pleaded not guilty to the charges."Here you have eight families who have been affected gravely," said Rivas. "No money in the world can bring those individuals back. Again, this is something where the system failed.""Like my companions, our lives were forever changed. But the ones who passed away, unfortunately, they were not able to say goodbye to their families," said Ponce.Ponce is still waiting to get hip surgery. While his health is improving, he and many of the survivors are still dealing with the mental scars of what they witnessed.Howard remains in a Marion County jail on no bond. He could face a life sentence behind bars if convicted.
Not a day goes by that Ramon Perez Ponce isn't reminded of May 14, 2024.
"It was a day like any other," he said. "We got up to work. We woke up around 4 in the morning."
Ponce, a bus driver and 42 farmworkers loaded their bus in Gainesville to begin the long journey to Dunnellon to work at Cannon Farms.
But they never made it to their destination.
Ponce and many of his colleagues were asleep on the bus after a long night and working the day before.
At 6:40 a.m., a 2001 Ford Ranger troopers say was driven by Bryan Howard crossed the center line of State Road 40 and hit the bus. The driver of the bus lost control and veered off the road.
"From there, the bus was destroyed by a tree. That is when many of my colleagues were ejected from the bus. Some died instantly others were gravely injured," Ponce said.
Related: 'Massive traffic homicide investigation': 8 dead, dozens hospitalized in Ocala bus crash
At that point, Ponce said he grabbed onto his seat and anything he could for what was about to come.
"In that moment I was shocked. Everything happened in a matter of seconds. At the point of impact, the bus overturned and some of my colleagues fell on top of me," Ponce said.
Ponce and others remained buried under the bodies until help arrived.
"He (Ramon) suffered contusion to his lungs, rib injuries, hip fracture, low back injuries, cervical spine injuries, jaw injuries," said Attorney Jesus Elizarraras who represents Ponce and many of the injured victims.
Elizarraras has been able to get them payment for lost wages and medical benefits through workman's comp provided by Impact Staff Leasing, the company that employs the farmworkers.
However, while receiving care, Elizarraras said the farmworkers' visas expired. Despite fighting to get an extension, many of the workers were forced to leave the country.
"I have one client who was still in a wheelchair. As soon as the visa expired he was sent back. He had a fractured leg. He was in a cast and he had no one here as far as a cousin or brother. He relied on other co-workers to push him in a wheelchair and get him to the airport," Elizarraras said.
"It totally changed the plans we had," said Ponce. "We came here with the American dream. Like all Mexicans, we wanted to work with our H2-A visa. We came to work legally."
As for the families of the deceased victims, workman's comp is covering $150,000 per victim.
"It is very difficult for individuals to come from a different country. They don't speak English. They are getting under paid, working hard, doing jobs that other individuals do not want to do. All of a sudden there is an accident and there is no one to account for them. We want to make sure justice is done and their voice is heard," said Criminal Defense Attorney Jose Rivas.
Rivas represents one of the deceased victim's family. He is working to get the money they are entitled to as they live in a rural part of Mexico.
He is also fighting to bring justice for the victim's families.
Howard was charged with eight counts of DUI manslaughter for the accident and even more counts of DUI with serious injury.
Related: Truck driver involved in Ocala bus crash that killed 8 arrested on DUI manslaughter charges
Arrest records say he had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and admitted to smoking "marijuana oil" and taking prescription medications the night before.
In June, Howard pleaded not guilty to the charges.
"Here you have eight families who have been affected gravely," said Rivas. "No money in the world can bring those individuals back. Again, this is something where the system failed."
"Like my companions, our lives were forever changed. But the ones who passed away, unfortunately, they were not able to say goodbye to their families," said Ponce.
Ponce is still waiting to get hip surgery. While his health is improving, he and many of the survivors are still dealing with the mental scars of what they witnessed.
Howard remains in a Marion County jail on no bond.
He could face a life sentence behind bars if convicted.