Authorities confirmed on Thursday that Carter Johnson, a 19-year-old from the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team, was the victim in a bus accident that left 32 others injured a day prior.
As per the college’s website, Johnson was a freshman outfielder who participated in one game this season for Iowa Lakes, following a high school career at Rapid City Stevens in South Dakota.
“Carter was an exceptional teammate, a good friend, and an integral part of our athletic community,” said athletic director Troy Larson during a news briefing on Thursday. “His presence made a difference on our campus, both inside the classrooms and on the field. We are devastated by this tragedy.”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Carter’s family. We cannot fathom the magnitude of their loss, and we are keeping them close in our hearts.”
The bus transporting the baseball team crashed and overturned into a ditch on Iowa Highway 4 near Twin Lakes, which is approximately 110 miles northwest of Des Moines, early Wednesday morning.
Iowa State Patrol Lt. Aaron Schmidt stated that Johnson was declared dead at the scene. He mentioned that when emergency responders reached the site, student-athletes from a vehicle behind the bus were already administering CPR on Johnson.
Three other individuals were airlifted to trauma centers in Des Moines, while others were taken to four hospitals in the vicinity via ambulance. There were no updates regarding their conditions as of Thursday.
The Lakers (1-3) were set to compete at North Arkansas College beginning Thursday, but all four games have been canceled.
