Man Charged in Police Chase Prior to Bus Crash

The driver accused of crashing into two school buses and injuring members of a high school baseball team last week is facing new charges.

Police in St. Joseph County have charged the Illinois man with resisting law enforcement for his actions in St. Joseph County prior to the crash in LaPorte County. He was previously charged with criminal recklessness in LaPorte County after crashing a box truck he was driving into two New Prairie United School Corporation buses. The collision at the intersection of U.S. 20 and Fail Road, Thursday, May 8, and injured seven New Prairie JV baseball team players and two coaches. One student was airlifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

Prior to the accident, police say the man was driving recklessly on State Road 2 in western St. Joseph County, describing him as swerving all over the roadway and nearly hitting several other vehicles.

Attempts to pull the driver over were unsuccessful and police ultimately terminated pursuit once the driver entered LaPorte County. He struck the buses and another commercial motor vehicle a short time later.

LaPorte County court documents reveal that the driver may have been under the influence at the time of the crash. Officials say he was exhibiting signs of impairment, was uncooperative with officers, and initially refused any form of testing. Police were eventually able to secure a court-ordered warrant to administer a blood test. Those results are pending.

It is unknown whether the man was driving a commercial or private vehicle. According to court documents, he indicated he was traveling home to Illinois with a load of Amazon goods. He is scheduled to appear in court Friday morning.

If you have been injured by a negligent driver or have been charged with a crime, call Wilson & Kinsman, LLC at 574-522-1900 or submit our online form to schedule a free consultation. Located in Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, we proudly serve clients in St. Joseph County and throughout the state.