A lawsuit filed in Indiana alleges that an Amazon delivery driver, identified as 42-year-old Shawn Akison, was under the influence of fentanyl when he crashed into a bus carrying a high school baseball team in May 2025. The collision resulted in life-altering injuries for 16-year-old Lucas Bradshaw, who was ejected from the bus and suffered a severe traumatic brain injury.
Akison, driving a box truck, struck the back of one of two minibuses carrying the New Prairie JV baseball team to a game in LaPorte County. Lucas Bradshaw sustained a Grade III diffuse axonal injury, described as the most severe form of traumatic brain injury, along with multiple brain hemorrhages, facial fractures, and a broken arm. After emergency brain surgery and spending 52 days in a coma, he underwent 125 days of intensive rehabilitation, facing permanent memory and vision loss, left-sided weakness, and impaired mobility.
Six other players, two coaches, and Lucas' father, who was driving the bus, were also injured in the crash. According to the lawsuit, Akison was traveling at 75 mph in a 45 mph zone moments before the collision, having just checked his Amazon app on his phone. Police had reportedly called off a pursuit of Akison shortly before the crash due to erratic driving.
The civil lawsuit, filed by Lucas' parents, names Amazon and other companies, alleging negligence in vetting drivers and preventing unsafe individuals from operating commercial vehicles. The suit contends that Amazon exerted significant control over Akison's work, including monitoring performance and safety, and had the authority to suspend or terminate his contract. The family's attorneys argue that Amazon overlooked nearly two decades of driving violations, including an incident just four months prior to the crash.
Akison pleaded guilty to charges related to the crash, including Operating While Intoxicated causing catastrophic injury and OWI causing serious bodily injury. He was sentenced in April to nine years in prison, followed by three years of probation. During his sentencing, Akison apologized to Lucas and a coach, stating he had prayed for Lucas and written him a letter.
Amazon has stated that Akison was not directly employed by the company and that the driver was delivering loads through its Relay program via a third-party company, Elite Courier. The lawsuit also names St. Joseph County, alleging an officer attempted to stop Akison for erratic driving but called off the pursuit when he crossed into another county without alerting local authorities.
Lucas' parents report that medical bills have exceeded $1.2 million and continue to accumulate. They emphasized that the lawsuit aims to hold parties accountable for the incident that they believe has stolen their son's future opportunities. Lucas is expected to return to the classroom on a reduced schedule in the fall and graduate next spring after a year of homebound instruction.