CALHOUN COUNTY, Iowa – A tragic accident has cast a pall over the Iowa Lakes Community College baseball program. Freshman outfielder Carter Johnson, 19, of Rapid City, South Dakota, died Wednesday after the team’s bus was involved in a single-vehicle crash in Calhoun County, Iowa. Thirty-two others sustained injuries in the incident.
The crash occurred around 11:30 a.m. On Iowa Highway 4, west of Twin Lakes and south of Pomeroy, a location authorities have identified as particularly hazardous. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the bus, carrying 33 individuals, left the roadway and overturned in a ditch. The team was en route to Arkansas for a series of games.
Initial reports indicate the 74-year-old bus driver went off the road and then overcorrected, leading to the rollover. The Iowa State Patrol is continuing to investigate the cause of the accident. The stretch of Highway 4 where the crash took place is known for a dangerous S-curve and has been the site of four previous fatal crashes in the last decade.
First responders faced a harrowing scene, with two passengers ejected from the bus and trapped underneath. Remarkably, student-athletes from a school van traveling directly behind the team bus immediately rendered aid, performing CPR on Johnson until emergency medical personnel arrived. Despite their efforts, Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene.
The extent of the injuries sustained by the remaining passengers varied. Two individuals were transported to UnityPoint’s Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, while ten were taken to UnityPoint Health Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge. According to the Iowa State Patrol, all those transported by ambulance have since been released. The condition of those who required air transport to Des Moines remains unavailable at this time.
The loss of Johnson has deeply impacted the Iowa Lakes Community College community. Athletic Director Troy Larson expressed the profound grief felt by the entire program. Carter was a great teammate, a friend, and a valued member of our athletic community,
Larson said. We’re heartbroken for this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with Carter’s family, we cannot imagine the depth of their loss, and we are holding them close in our hearts.
Iowa Lakes Community College has canceled classes for Thursday and Friday, February 13th and 14th, and , respectively, but campuses remain open to provide counseling services for students and staff grappling with the tragedy. Counselors are available to offer support during this difficult time.
The incident underscores the inherent risks associated with team travel, particularly for collegiate athletes. While the Iowa State Patrol investigation is ongoing, the crash has already prompted renewed scrutiny of safety protocols for bus travel and the potential hazards posed by the notorious curve on Highway 4.
Carter Johnson’s death is a devastating blow not only to his family and friends but also to the Iowa Lakes baseball team and the wider athletic community. He was a freshman outfielder, representing a promising future cut short. The impact of this loss will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.
The Iowa State Patrol continues to gather evidence and interview witnesses to determine the precise sequence of events leading to the crash. A full report detailing the findings of the investigation is expected to be released in the coming weeks. For now, the focus remains on supporting the injured and providing comfort to those mourning the loss of Carter Johnson.