Victor Santos sentenced to 20 years for Warsaw, Indiana bus crash that injured Saint Ignatius College Prep hockey players

In Chicago, a truck driver involved in a DUI crash that left the Saint Ignatius College Prep hockey team injured has been given a 20-year prison sentence. The incident took place in 2022 in Warsaw, Indiana.

Victor Santos, the truck driver, decided to plead guilty to the charges related to the crash. A total of twenty players on the bus sustained injuries as a result of the collision.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Parents, coaches, and survivors shared impact statements – and their frustration over what they say was a lack of accountability.

“All we heard in there was excuse after excuse,” one parent said outside court. “The judge didn’t buy it. We think it was an appropriate sentence.”

After factoring in time already served and other considerations, Santos is expected to serve a term between 12.5 and 15 years. His defense team had mentioned supposed health problems and a challenging childhood in the Dominican Republic as mitigating circumstances, but the families of the victims found these explanations unconvincing.

READ ALSO | St. Ignatius JV hockey team returns to ice 2 months after team bus struck by alleged drunk driver

“There was no medical testimony. Even if he had health problems, it didn’t cause him to drink. He made a conscious decision,” said a parent. “He was twice the legal limit. Seconds mattered that night.”

“There’s not a day that goes by that it doesn’t flash through my mind,” one parent said. “One second different, and we could be standing here under very different circumstances.”

Lawyers say they are now able to move forward with a civil lawsuit.

ABC News contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
Tearful Livvy Dunne claims group of middle-aged men are 'stalking' her at airports across America

Livvy Dunne tearfully asserts that a group of middle-aged men are following her at airports throughout America

Social media sensation Livvy Dunne has claimed she is being stalked by…
Star snaps of the week: Post Malone, Brooklyn Beckham and more

Weekly Celebrity Highlights: Post Malone, Brooklyn Beckham, and More

Weekly Celeb Snapshots: Post Malone, Brooklyn Beckham, and More Cookie Policy Notice:…
Saving Taxpayer Money: Energy Dept Cancels $3.7B in 'Green' Grants

Saving Taxpayer Dollars: Energy Department Cancels $3.7 Billion in ‘Green’ Grants

A billion dollars here, a billion dollars there, and pretty soon you’re…
Unexpected: Ivy-Leaguer Bill Maher Actually (Kind of) Agrees With What Trump Is Doing to Harvard

Surprising: Bill Maher from an Ivy League university somewhat supports Trump’s actions towards Harvard

On Friday, the host of HBO’s “Real Time,” who has made a…
There's a Surprise Leader in Polling for Next Democrat Presidential Nominee—and It's Not Kamala Harris

Unexpected Candidate Leads Polls for Next Democratic Presidential Nominee, and it’s Not Kamala Harris

When it comes down to choosing a Democratic leader, you have options…
Who is Julius Malema, the South African politician behind 'kill the farmer' chant?

Meet Julius Malema: The South African Politician Associated with the ‘Kill the Farmer’ Chant

Julius Malema, a South African politician, has drawn attention after President Donald…
Gunman kills Israeli embassy couple in Washington, following decades of embassy-targeted attacks

Israeli Diplomat highlights Radicalism as an American issue following deadly shooting in DC

Tsach Saar, the Deputy Consul General of Israel in New York, is…
Rihanna suffers devastating family tragedy

Rihanna experiences heartbreaking loss in her family

Rihanna’s father Ronald Fenty has reportedly passed away at age 70. TMZ…
Israel Defense Forces: 'We Eliminated the Head of Hamas, Again'

Israel’s Military: ‘We Have Eliminated Hamas Leader, Again’

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have effectively shortened the career prospects of…
Weeds star dead after battle with lymphoma

Celebrity from Weeds loses fight against lymphoma

Weeds star Renee Victor has passed away at the age of 86…
Mystery of 'Budweiser Girl' murder could finally be solved as lurking suspect emerges from the shadows

Possible break in unsolved case of ‘Budweiser Girl’ murder as suspect emerges

Jessica Richardson discovered her mother, Cheryl Williams Frady, lifeless in the basement…
Trump-backed candidate seeks to win Polish presidency in vital European election

Candidate supported by Trump aims to secure Polish presidency in crucial European election

The upcoming presidential election runoff this Sunday is heavily influenced by President…