LAPORTE — The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 41-year-old Shawn Wesly Russell Akison of Romeoville, Illinois, in connection with a serious bodily injury crash at US 20 and Fail Road involving two New Prairie School Corporation “mini-buses” carrying athletes and coaches to a baseball game.
The initial stages of the investigation determined that the St. Jospeh County Police Department received a report of a box truck traveling westbound on SR 2 in a reckless manner. A St. Joseph County Deputy located the box truck in the area of SR 2 and Timothy Road. A traffic stop was attempted, however, the box truck failed to yield and continued traveling west on SR 2. At SR 2 and CR 900 East (County Line), the deputy terminated the pursuit of the box truck.
At 3:13 PM, Deputy Jeff Armstrong was dispatched to the area of SR 2 and US 20 regarding the reckless driving box truck. At 3:16 PM, deputies responded to US 20 and Fail Road for a multi-vehicle crash. First responders confirmed the box truck was involved in the crash, along with a commercial motor vehicle, and two ‘mini-buses’ belonging to the New Prairie United School Corporation (NPUSC).
The box truck, being operated by Akison, was traveling west on US 20 approaching the Fail Road intersection. The box truck collided with a commercial motor vehicle and the two mini-buses.
Those injured included two coaches and seven student athletes. The injured subjects received treatment at the scene, along with several being transported by ground to an area hospital. One student-athlete was airlifted from the scene and transported to a regional hospital for treatment.
Akison was taken into custody at the scene. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment. After being medically cleared, Akison was transported to the La Porte County Jail (LCJ) on a charge of criminal recklessness. He remains housed in the LCJ and is being held on a $15,005.00 cash-only bond.
Anyone with dash camera footage or if you witnessed the box truck being operated on SR 2 or US 20 is encouraged to email Chief of Detectives – Captain Andy Hynek (ahynek@lcso.in.gov).
Toxicology test results are pending. The crash investigation is ongoing. No further information is available for release.
Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
