Trucker charged after Indiana crash that injured 20 people

Nov. 15 (UPI) — A New York semi-truck driver faces 26 expenses after crashing into a college bus in Indiana, injuring greater than 20 individuals.

Victor Santos, 58, is charged with four counts of inflicting critical bodily damage and 22 counts of felony recklessness whereas armed with a lethal weapon. All 26 expenses are felonies. Santos failed a subject sobriety take a look at after the crash and refused to undergo additional checks for intoxication.

Twenty of the 26 passengers on the bus reported accidents together with three that had been in vital situation. The Warsaw, Ind., Police Department said all of the passengers at the moment are in secure situation.

The bus was carrying members of a junior varsity hockey staff from St. Ignatius Faculty Prep within the Chicago space. The staff members are all between 14 and 17 years previous. The coach and driver had been additionally injured.

They had been touring dwelling from a match in Culver, Ind., when the bus turned left at a inexperienced gentle onto U.S. 30. The Freightliner semi pushed by Santos was touring westbound on U.S. 30 and did not cease at a pink gentle, putting the bus with out braking or swerving to overlook the bus, witnesses mentioned.

The Warsaw Police Division posted on Fb that it obtained a name a couple of semi-truck swerving on U.S. 30 and dashing shortly after 8 p.m. Whereas the officers had been en route they had been notified the truck in query had crashed into the varsity bus, turning it onto its aspect. At the very least one of many gamers was ejected from the automobile.

Officers from the Warsaw police division and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Workplace responded to the scene and Santos was taken to the Kosciusko County Jail. He failed a breathalyzer take a look at whereas he was being booked.

Police spoke to a pair of witnesses who estimated Santos to be driving 80 to 85 mph on U.S. 30. The witnesses tried to distance themselves from him as a consequence of his erratic habits.

Santos is being held on a $75,000 bond.