College baseball player killed, 32 others injured in Iowa bus crash

Iowa Lakes Community College team bus overturned near Twin Lakes

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A 19-year-old college baseball player from South Dakota was killed and 32 other members of the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team were injured when their team bus overturned in a ditch alongside a highway near Twin Lakes, Iowa. The bus went off the road for unknown reasons and the crash is under investigation.

Why it matters

The tragic incident has shaken the Iowa Lakes Community College campus and athletic community, and raises questions about bus safety protocols and the risks student-athletes face during team travel.

The details

According to authorities, the bus carrying the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team went off the road for "unknown reasons" and overturned in a ditch near Twin Lakes, Iowa. Outfielder Carter Johnson, a 19-year-old from Rapid City, South Dakota, was killed in the crash. The 32 other teammates on the bus were injured, with three airlifted for treatment in the Des Moines area. The team had been traveling to games scheduled for Thursday and Friday at North Arkansas College.

  • The bus crash occurred on Wednesday near Twin Lakes, Iowa.
  • Carter Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.

The players

Carter Johnson

A 19-year-old outfielder from Rapid City, South Dakota, who was in his first year playing for the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team.

Troy Larson

The athletic director at Iowa Lakes Community College, who said Johnson was "a great teammate, a friend and a valued member of our athletic community."

Iowa State Patrol Lt. Aaron Smidt

The officer who said the bus went off the road for "unknown reasons" and that the crash is under investigation.

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What they’re saying

“Carter was a great teammate, a friend and a valued member of our athletic community. In his time here, he really impacted our campus, both within our halls, in the classrooms, as well as on the playing field.”

— Troy Larson, Athletic Director, Iowa Lakes Community College

“It's going to take some time for them to recover from some injuries. It was a pretty violent collision.”

— Aaron Smidt, Lt., Iowa State Patrol

What’s next

The Iowa State Patrol is continuing to investigate the cause of the bus crash. The Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team will discuss how to move forward with their season in the coming weeks as the injured players recover.

The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a somber reminder of the risks student-athletes face during team travel, and highlights the need for thorough safety protocols and support systems to protect young athletes. The Iowa Lakes community is coming together to mourn the loss of Carter Johnson and support the recovery of his teammates.