What began as a routine North Salem High School field trip to Western Oregon University turned tragic Monday morning when a school bus attempting a left turn on Highway 22 near the OR-51 interchange west of Salem collided head-on with an SUV, killing the other driver and sending two people to the hospital. The crash set off a scramble by first responders and school officials to account for students, secure the scene, and get the injured to medical care.
Oregon State Police said the bus driver, identified as Chandra Jean Milkovich-Howard, was cited at the scene for making an unsafe left turn that led to the collision, according to The Oregonian/OregonLive. The outlet reported that Milkovich-Howard and a student on the bus were transported to Salem Health with minor injuries. OSP said the investigation remains active and more details will be released as troopers work through evidence and witness statements.
Crash on Highway 22
The collision happened just before 10 a.m. near milepost 20 at the Highway 22 and Highway 51 interchange. The driver killed in the crash was identified as 68-year-old Luke R. Brittan of Independence, Salem Reporter noted. Investigators say the school bus, attempting a left turn, struck an eastbound vehicle head-on, closing the intersection for several hours while troopers, deputies, and crash reconstruction teams documented the scene.
The Salem-Keizer School District confirmed the bus was en route to Western Oregon University on a field trip. After the crash, students were taken back to North Salem High School, where counselors and a crisis response team were waiting to support those who had been on board and their families.
Students and district response
Local officials said the bus was carrying high school students and staff for the trip, with the number on board estimated at around three dozen, according to KPTV. Salem-Keizer Public Schools told media it is cooperating fully with the investigation and called the crash "a terribly tragic event," the station reported.
A second bus was dispatched to pick up the remaining students and staff from the crash scene. The district said counseling and additional support services were arranged for students who were on the trip, acknowledging that even those physically unhurt were dealing with a frightening and chaotic morning.
Investigation underway
State police and local agencies are continuing to gather physical evidence, review dispatch logs, and interview witnesses as they work to piece together the sequence of events. The highway was shut down for several hours before reopening, according to Salem Reporter. Investigators say the unsafe left turn is being treated as the primary factor in the crash while they also look for any available video and additional documentation.
Authorities have asked anyone who witnessed the collision or has relevant footage to contact Oregon State Police as the investigation continues. The citation for an unsafe left turn issued to the bus driver is part of the on-scene process and does not rule out further legal action. Prosecutors have not announced any additional charges, and officials said they will provide updates as new information is confirmed, according to The Oregonian/OregonLive.
