Lincoln Southeast Graduate Recovers From Deadly Bus Crash

Remembers Teammate Who Was Killed in the Accident

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A deadly bus crash in northwest Iowa killed an Iowa Lakes Community College baseball player, Carter Johnson, and injured several others, including Lincoln Southeast graduate Dylan Etherton, who is recovering from a spine fracture and kidney injuries. Etherton is processing the loss of his teammate while also focusing on his own recovery, with support from his teammates, family, and previous coaches.

Why it matters

The tragic bus crash highlights the risks student-athletes face while traveling to competitions, and the devastating impact such accidents can have on individuals, teams, and communities. It also underscores the importance of safety measures and support systems for student-athletes.

The details

The bus carrying 33 people, including the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball team, was traveling to Arkansas when it went off the highway and rolled over into a ditch. Carter Johnson, a baseball player, was killed in the crash, while the other 32 passengers were sent to different hospitals. Dylan Etherton, a Lincoln Southeast graduate, is recovering from a spine fracture and kidney injuries sustained in the accident.

  • The crash occurred on Wednesday morning.

The players

Dylan Etherton

A Lincoln Southeast graduate who is recovering from injuries sustained in the bus crash.

Carter Johnson

An Iowa Lakes Community College baseball player who was killed in the bus crash.

Jeff Johnson

The father of Carter Johnson, who described his son as a kind-hearted and hard-working individual.

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What they’re saying

“You want to focus on recovery, but yeah, I do want to get back in that field as soon as possible.”

— Dylan Etherton (1011now.com)

“He was just the best human being ever. He was infectious. Everybody he met, they got along with him. He found the good in everybody. He never complained. He worked hard.”

— Jeff Johnson, Carter Johnson's father (1011now.com)

“He made a difference. That's the greatest honor, moving on as a dad, that you can ask for from your kid.”

— Jeff Johnson, Carter Johnson's father (1011now.com)

What’s next

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover medical expenses and funeral expenses for Carter Johnson.

The takeaway

This tragic accident serves as a somber reminder of the risks student-athletes face while traveling to competitions, and the importance of prioritizing safety measures and providing comprehensive support systems for young athletes and their communities.