Illinois man arrested in La Porte County crash that injured high school baseball team
Illinois man arrested in NW Indiana crash that injured high school baseball team
A 41-year-old Illinois man was arrested Thursday after a multi-vehicle crash in LaPorte County involving school minibuses transporting a high school baseball team, authorities said.
LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. - A 41-year-old Illinois man was arrested Thursday after a multi-vehicle crash in La Porte County involving school minibuses transporting a high school baseball team, authorities said.
What we know:
Shawn Wesly Russell Akison of Romeoville was taken into custody following the crash at U.S. 20 and Fail Road, which injured two coaches and seven student-athletes from New Prairie High School, according to the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office. One student was airlifted to a regional hospital for treatment, while others were treated at the scene or transported to local hospitals.
The incident began when St. Joseph County authorities received reports of a box truck driving recklessly on State Road 2. A deputy attempted to stop the vehicle near Timothy Road, but the driver did not yield. The pursuit was terminated near County Road 900 East.
Just minutes later, at approximately 3:16 p.m., deputies responded to the crash involving the box truck, a commercial vehicle and two New Prairie United School Corporation minibuses. Authorities say the box truck, operated by Akison, struck the other vehicles while heading westbound on U.S. 20.
Akison was transported to a hospital for evaluation and later booked into the LaPorte County Jail on a felony charge of criminal recklessness. He is being held on a $15,000 cash-only bond.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage of the box truck to contact investigators. Toxicology results are pending, and the investigation remains ongoing.
What they're saying:
School administrators were notified immediately following the crash, with updates continuing into the weekend, officials said.
"We are asking for your thoughts and prayers for all of the injured, their families and friends, and the entire school corporation," Administrative Captain Derek J. Allen said in a statement. "Please do not speculate on the circumstances of the crash and respect the privacy of those impacted by this tragic incident."