Semi Driver Who Hit School Bus In Warsaw Denied Bond Reduction; Public Defender Appointed
By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews
Victor Santos
WARSAW — A semi driver who hit a school bus in Warsaw, injuring 20 students from Illinois, has been denied a bond reduction.
Victor Santos, 60, Brooklyn, N.Y., is charged with four counts of causing serious bodily injury when operating a vehicle while intoxicated, all level 5 felonies; and 22 counts of criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon, all level 6 felonies.
During a bond reduction hearing and pretrial conference on Monday, April 22, Santos requested his bond amount be lowered due to an unspecified medical situation. His bond is currently set at $75,000 surety and $2,500 cash. Santos has been incarcerated since November 2022.
Deputy Prosecutor Jennifer Naue objected to a bond reduction, stating jail staff were addressing Santos’ medical needs. She also noted Santos would have no place to stay in Indiana if he were released, since he does not have any local ties to the community.
Kosciusko Superior Court Three Judge Chad Miner denied Santos’ bond reduction.
Miner also assigned Aaron Stoll as a public defender in Santos’ case.
In January 2023, Santos requested his initial legal representation be withdrawn. Paul Stanko was then assigned to the case, but was withdrawn as counsel sometime in March 2024.
Santos’ case had been set for a four-day jury trial from April 22 to 25, but the trial was cancelled in mid-March.
An additional pretrial conference for Santos is scheduled for 1 p.m. May 20.
Background on Case
At 8:06 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, multiple emergency departments responded to a two-vehicle accident on US 30, near East Center Street, Warsaw.
According to court documents, Santos was driving a white 2006 Freightliner semi tractor-trailer west on US 30, toward the East Center Street intersection, when he hit a school bus transporting a hockey team from St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago.
Video footage from a local business showed the school bus preparing to make a left turn at a green arrow when Santos’ semi is shown approaching the intersection at a high rate of speed, hitting the bus.
Santos was exhibiting physical signs of intoxication at the time of the accident and had a 0.13% BrAC.
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