LaPorte County school bus crash closes major highway, officials say

Authorities are responding to a serious school bus crash that has closed a major roadway in Northwest Indiana.

According to the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. 20 is closed in both directions between State Route 39 and State Route 2 for what is being described as a “multi-vehicle serious bodily injury crash.”

According to officials, Fail Road is also closed in both directions at its intersection with U.S. 20.

In a joint statement, the sheriff's office and New Prairie United School Corporation revealed four vehicles were involved in the crash, including two mini-buses that were transporting members of a school's sports team to a game.

Officials say "several subjects" were injured in the crash and were hospitalized, but precise numbers and conditions of the victims were not immediately available.

Two other vehicles, a commercial motor vehicle and a box truck, were also involved in the collision, police said.

Police expect the roadway closure to last for an extended period of time, and are asking motorists to avoid the area.