South Dakota Baseball Player Killed in Iowa Bus Crash

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A South Dakota native named Carter Johnson, a 19-year-old freshman baseball player at Iowa Lakes Community College, was killed when the bus carrying his team and coaches lost control and flipped several times before coming to rest in a ditch. Thirty-three people were treated for injuries, but Johnson was the lone fatality. The bus was en route to a game against North Arkansas College when the crash occurred on Highway 4 near Twin Lakes, Iowa.

Why it matters

The tragic incident has shaken the Iowa Lakes baseball program and the broader community, raising questions about bus safety and the risks student-athletes face while traveling to competitions. Johnson's death is a devastating loss for his family, teammates, and the Rapid City community where he was from.

The details

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the bus lost control around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11 and rolled multiple times before coming to rest in a ditch. Thirty-three people were transported to nearby hospitals, some by air ambulance, to treat a variety of injuries sustained in the crash. Johnson, an outfielder who had played in one game this season, was the lone fatality. A separate vehicle carrying six other members of the Iowa Lakes team was not involved in the incident.

• The crash occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
• Johnson, a 19-year-old freshman, had played in one game for Iowa Lakes this season prior to the fatal crash.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Iowa State Patrol continues to investigate the cause of the bus crash that killed Carter Johnson. The Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team has cancelled the remainder of the week's games and classes at the college have been suspended.