LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. (WLS) — An incident involving a south suburban truck driver has resulted in charges following a crash that harmed a high school baseball team in northwest Indiana on Thursday, according to the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office.
The driver, 41-year-old Shawn Wesly Russell Akison from Romeoville, faces charges of criminal recklessness related to the collision, which took place at the intersection of US 20 and Fail Road shortly after 3:15 p.m.
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The incident unfolded when officials began receiving reports of a box truck being driven in an erratic manner on Thursday afternoon, as stated by the sheriff’s office. A deputy from the St. Joseph County police attempted to stop the vehicle near SR 2 and Timothy Road, but the driver, Akison, failed to comply.
The sheriff’s office said Akison was heading westbound on US 20, approaching the Fail Road intersection, when he collided with a commercial motor vehicle and two New Prairie United School Corporation minibuses.
The minibuses were carrying New Prairie High School baseball team members and coaches, who were heading to a game.
Two coaches and seven students were hurt, the sheriff’s office said. They were treated on the scene, and several of them were taken to local hospitals.
One student-athlete was airlifted from the scene.
Authorities took Akison into custody at the scene. After being treated at a local hospital, he was transported to the La Porte County Jail. He is being held on a $15,005 cash-only bond.
The sheriff’s office asked anyone with information to email Chief of Detectives Captain Andy Hynek at ahynek@lcso.in.gov.
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