A school bus filled with a JV Hockey team was hit by a semi in Warsaw Indiana. On Saturday, at approximately 8:06 p.m., Central Dispatch of Warsaw notified patrol officers of reports of a tractor trailer with New Jersey registration swerving into other lanes and driving at excessive speed in Warsaw Indiana. Two minutes later, as officers were on their way to intercept, they were advised that the suspect semi had just struck a school bus at the intersection and the bus was on its side. Multiple first responders converged on the intersection as it was quickly determined to have multiple injuries to youth. The semi driver continued west and came to a stop driving off the roadway into the ditch an eighth of a mile from the intersection. The semi struck the bus in the right rear. Officers and other emergency personnel began attending to multiple injuries from critical to minor. Confirming with eyewitnesses and a nearby surveillance camera, the semi driver disregarded a red light by several seconds before striking the bus during its turn. Upon contacting the semi driver, officers had reason to suspect alcohol was a factor in this collision. Warsaw officers began an OWI investigation. After failing standardized field sobriety tests, the driver was asked to consent to a chemical test but refused. In all, there were 23 students, 2 adult coaches, and the bus driver on the Illinois school bus. At this time, we have accounted for 16 injuries, 3 being very critical, and 10 considered with no injuries or sign offs at the local hospital. Ages of the students range between 14 and 17 years old, with most children 15 years of age. All family members have been notified of this accident. This is still an active investigation and additional charges may be added or enhanced based on the outcome. The suspect in custody has been identified as Victor Santos, a 58-year-old male out of Brooklyn, New York. He was operating a truck and trailer out of the state of New Jersey.
