Chicago City Wire

Saint Ignatius College Prep, a private high school on Chicago's Near West Side, took to social media to thank those who prayed for the members of the school's junior varsity hockey team, 16 of whom were injured when a semi crashed into their team bus.

"The Saint Ignatius College Prep family is thankful for your prayers and good thoughts. Your kindness means so much!" the school said in a Facebook post.

Sixteen St. Ignatius students were injured Nov. 12 when a semi truck crashed into a bus carrying members of the Catholic school's JV hockey team, who were competing in a tournament in Indiana, according to NBC Chicago. 

The crash took place approximately 8 p.m. in Warsaw, about 50 miles from South Bend. Police had been notified of a semi driving recklessly and were on their way to the scene when the driver ran a red light and struck the team's bus, flipping it onto its side. The truck driver, 58-year-old Victor Santos of New York, drove on for about a mile before running into a ditch. Officers responding said they "detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and in the cab of the semi."

Three students were transported to a hospital in "very critical" condition, but they were stabilized by the next morning, authorities said. Santos is being held on charges of causing seriously bodily injury while operating a vehicle, a level 5 felony in Indiana; and criminal recklessness, level 6 felony.  Additional charges could be filed, prosecutors said.

"Prayers for the players, coaches and their respective families of the St Ignatius JV hockey team," Paul Vallas, a Democratic candidate for mayor, said in a tweet.

The Chicago Blackhawks also posted a message of support, saying, "We send our thoughts and prayers to the Saint Ignatius College Prep's hockey team, their coaches and their families after the team was involved in a serious bus accident last night. Please join us in keeping them in your thoughts."