LaPorte County police have arrested a 41-year Romeoville, Ill., man in connection with Thursday’s crash that injured several players and coaches on the New Prairie High baseball team.
The team members and coaches were in two mini buses heading to a game in Hobart.
Police have charged Shawn Wesly Russell Akison with criminal recklessness, a level 5 felony. He’s being held on a $15,000 bond at the LaPorte County Jail.
At 3:15 p.m., police responded to a multi-vehicle crash at U.S. 20 and Fail Road where police said a box truck, operated by Akison, was traveling west on U.S. 20 approaching the Fail Road intersection. The box truck collided with a commercial motor vehicle and two New Prairie United School Corp. mini buses.
Police said one student-athlete was airlifted from the scene and transported to a regional hospital for treatment.
The injured included two coaches and seven student-athletes. They received treatment at the scene, and several were transported to an area hospital.
Earlier, St. Joseph County police responded to a reckless driving call involving the box truck traveling westbound on Indiana 2.
A St. Joseph County police officer attempted a traffic stop on Indiana 2 and Timothy Road, but the driver failed to yield and police said the deputy terminated the pursuit.
“We are asking for your thoughts and prayers for all of the injured, their families and friends, and the entire school corporation,” LaPorte County Capt. Derek Allen. “Please do not speculate on the circumstances of the crash and respect the privacy of those impacted by this tragic incident.”
Toxicology test results are pending. The crash investigation is ongoing.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
