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Illinois truck driver arrested after hitting New Prairie team bus

Akison
Akison

A crash involving a box truck and two school buses sent several high school students and coaches to the hospital Thursday afternoon in LaPorte County.

LaPorte County deputies arrested a 41-year-old Illinois man after he caused a serious crash Thursday afternoon involving a high school baseball team.

Deputies say Shawn Wesly Russell Akison of Romeoville drove a box truck recklessly on State Road 2 and ignored a traffic stop attempt by a St. Joseph County deputy. The deputy ended the pursuit near County Road 900 East.

Just minutes later deputies responded to a multi-vehicle crash at US 20 and Fail Road. Investigators say Akison’s box truck hit a commercial vehicle and two mini-buses from New Prairie United School Corporation. The buses were carrying New Prairie High School baseball players to a game.

The crash injured two coaches and seven student-athletes. Paramedics treated several at the scene and took others to a local hospital. A medical helicopter flew one student to a regional hospital.

Deputies arrested Akison at the scene and took him to a hospital. After doctors cleared him, deputies booked him into the LaPorte County Jail on a felony charge of criminal recklessness.

Police ask anyone with dashcam footage of the box truck to contact the sheriff’s department. The investigation is ongoing.

Mike Murrell joined the WVPE family in August of 2024. Mike is beginning his second career in journalism and broadcasting, since retiring from the Army after 20 years of service. Mike is originally from Dayton, Ohio, but calls Elkhart his home.