Affidavit reveals new details leading up to New Prairie bus crash

UPDATE: In an affidavit obtained from the La Porte County Sheriff's Office, deputies described what they saw when first arriving at the scene of the crash on May8.
Authorities say they observed a small New Prairie United School Corporation bus on its side in the westbound inside lane.
The outside lane had a large white box truck that crashed into the side of a second small New Prairie United School Corporation school bus.
Behind those vehicles was a semi tractor/trailer that had also been struck and had heavy damage to its rear.
Deputies found that several student-athletes and a bus driver were injured. One 16-year-old student-athlete, later identified as Lucas Bradshaw, suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to the hospital unconscious in a coma, with a double brain bleed. Bradshaw had been ejected from one of the buses.
Through witness statements and investigation on scene, it was learned that Akison was traveling west at a high rate of speed when he attempted to pass slowed/stopped traffic near Fail Road, driving through the turn lane.
Authorities say Akison was also observed using his cell phone by another driver as he struck the back of the first school bus.
When asked about his identification, deputies say Akison seemed to stare off with slow, and lethargic responses to questions, which authorities say can be indicative of alcohol/narcotic usage.
Akison was read the Indiana implied consent warning for those involved in a serious bodily injury/fatality crash and he refused to submit to any type of testing.
Akison was taken to the Northwest Health/La Porte Campus for medical clearance.
A search warrant was obtained for Akison's blood, a toxicology test was done, and the test kit was sent out for analysis.
After being cleared and taken to the La Porte County Jail, Akison was interviewed by a La Porte County deputy.
Akison indicated he did not recall the crash but did recall using his cell phone prior to the crash.
Akison told the deputy he had been awake and driving the truck since approximately 2 a.m. that day with a seven-hour break in South Bend, where he took a short nap in the truck.
Akison stated he was headed back to Illinois with a load of Amazon goods.
ORIGINAL: LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. -- In a probable cause affidavit obtained from the St. Joseph Superior Court, authorities reveal the events leading up to the suspect, 41-year-old Shawn Akison, crashing into two New Prairie High School minibuses with a box truck on S.R. 2 May 8.
The St. Joseph County Police Department reports units received a "be on the lookout" from dispatch for a white box truck driving west on S.R. 2.
Dispatch said the driver of that truck was swerving all over the road and had nearly hit several other vehicles.
A corporal with the sheriff's department happened to be on S.R. 2 at that time and observed the suspect truck in his rearview mirror appearing to swerve on road.
The corporal let the truck get ahead of him before observing it nearly leave the road completely on the north side.
Documents state that's when a traffic stop was attempted on the truck. The driver disregarded the attempt and continued west on S.R. 2 while still swerving, periodically braking, and using a turn signal when not appropriate.
The speeds reportedly varied between 60 and 72 mph.
Authorities say once the pursuit entered La Porte County, the SJCPD terminated it.
About eight to nine minutes later, authorities say a white box truck was involved in the crash with the two minibuses.
The La Porte County Sheriff’s Department notified the SJCPD that they believed the box truck involved in the crash was the same one involved in the pursuit.
La Porte County authorities relayed the plate number on the box truck as Illinois registration FP261476.
The driver, identified as Akison, was arrested on Level 5 Felony of Criminal Recklessness and taken to the La Porte County Jail.
On May 9 at the La Porte County Jail, Akison was read his Miranda Rights and interviewed by detectives from the SJCPD.
Akison stated he was unaware the police were trying to pull him over.
A detective explained to him that the squad car was following him with his lights and sirens and Akison stated again he was not aware of that.
Akison was also asked who was in the vehicle with him, and he stated he was the only one in the vehicle.
SJCPD investigators have requested Akison to be charged with a Level 6 Felony of Resisting Law Enforcement Def. Uses a Vehicle.