You might remember back in the spring when a van with college kids crashed, and one of the survivors was mistaken for another student who died. Today, the trucker who authorities say crossed the highway median and hit the van is facing some very serious charges.
Indiana prosecutors are bringing reckless homicide and other charges against Robert Spencer, and have an arrest warrant out. They're holding him responsible for the April 26th wreck on an Indiana highway.
In the weeks after the crash, a hospitalized student was thought to be Laura VanRyn (van-RYN'). But in June, relatives discovered the survivor was really Whitney Cerak (SEER'-ak) -- whose parents thought they had buried her. The two young women looked very similar.
Cerak, who was nearly comatose, has recovered and is back at Taylor University this semester.
%@AP Links
GRAPHICSBANK 930432 (06/01/06)>> 1500x1125
Laura VanRyn headshot, Taylor University student who died in a van crash, but was mistaken for fellow student Whitney Cerak, who survived the wreck, graphic element on black
GRAPHICSBANK 930430 (06/01/06)>> 1500x1125
Whitney E. Cerak headshot, Taylor University student who was thought to have died until it was discovered she was mistakenly identified as fellow Taylor student VanRyn, who was incorrectly thought to have survived the wreck, graphic element on black