Salem School Bus Crash: Driver Cited in Fatal Highway 22 Collision
A school bus driver in Oregon has been cited for an unsafe left turn following a collision with an SUV on , resulting in the death of the SUV driver. The incident occurred at the intersection of Highway 22 and Highway 51 in Polk County, prompting a four-hour closure of Highway 22 for investigation.
Luke Richard Brittan, 68, of Independence, Oregon, was pronounced dead at the scene after his Honda Pilot was struck head-on by the school bus, according to the Oregon State Police. The bus, operated by the Salem-Keizer School District, was attempting a left turn from westbound Highway 22 onto southbound Highway 51 when the collision occurred.
Chandra J. Milkovich-Howard, the bus driver, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. A student on board the bus also received minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. The identity of the student has not been released by authorities.
The bus was carrying 30 North Salem High School students to Western Oregon University for a field trip at the time of the crash. Milkovich-Howard has been employed as a school bus driver for the Salem-Keizer School District since .
The Oregon State Police investigation determined that the unsafe left turn made by the school bus was the primary cause of the accident. Milkovich-Howard was issued a citation for the violation, and the investigation remains ongoing.
This is not the first fatal incident at the intersection of Highway 22 and Highway 51. State crash data indicates that there have been two fatalities at the location since . The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has acknowledged the intersection’s high crash rate and has plans to redesign the interchange to improve safety for drivers making turns onto Highway 51, according to a statement on the state’s website.
The incident raises renewed concerns about safety at rural intersections and the potential risks associated with left turns across busy highways. While the immediate focus is on the investigation and the well-being of those involved, the crash is likely to prompt further scrutiny of traffic patterns and safety measures at similar locations throughout Oregon and potentially beyond.
The Salem-Keizer School District has not yet released a statement beyond confirming the incident and the involvement of its bus and driver. District spokesman Aaron Harada confirmed the field trip destination and the number of students and adults on board the bus on .
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Oregon State Police with the on-scene investigation, as did the Oregon Department of Transportation. The closure of Highway 22 caused significant traffic disruptions in the area, and authorities urged motorists to find alternate routes during the investigation.
The circumstances surrounding the crash are particularly sensitive given the involvement of a school bus and the potential for trauma among the student passengers. Counseling and support services are likely to be offered to the students who witnessed the accident and to the broader school community in the wake of the tragedy.
The Oregon State Police have not released further details regarding the ongoing investigation, including whether any additional factors contributed to the crash. However, the initial findings clearly point to the unsafe left turn as the critical factor leading to the collision and the subsequent fatality.
The intersection of Highway 22 and Highway 51 is a known trouble spot, and ODOT’s planned redesign reflects a recognition of the inherent dangers posed by the current configuration. The timeline for the redesign project remains unclear, but the recent fatal crash is likely to accelerate those plans.
This incident underscores the importance of driver vigilance and adherence to traffic laws, particularly when making left turns across busy highways. It also highlights the need for ongoing investment in infrastructure improvements to enhance safety at high-risk intersections.