A fatal crash involving a Salem-Keizer school bus claimed the life of a 68-year-old man Monday morning at the intersection of Highway 22 and Highway 51, according to the Oregon State Police.
Troopers responded to the two-vehicle collision on February 23, 2026, at approximately 9:51 a.m. A preliminary investigation determined that a westbound Salem-Keizer Thomas school bus, operated by 33-year-old Chandra Jean Milkovich-Howard of Turner, attempted to make a left turn onto southbound Highway 51. During the turn, the bus entered the path of an eastbound Honda Pilot driven by 68-year-old Luke Richard Brittan of Independence, resulting in a head-on crash.
Brittan was declared deceased at the scene.
Milkovich-Howard sustained and reported minor injuries and was transported to an area hospital for evaluation.
At the time of the crash, the school bus was carrying two adults and 30 students. One student suffered a reported minor injury and was also transported to a local hospital. No other serious injuries were reported among the passengers.
Authorities said the highway was impacted for approximately four hours as crews conducted an on-scene investigation. An unsafe left turn has been identified as the primary cause of the collision, and the bus driver was issued a citation. The investigation remains ongoing and will be forwarded to the district attorney for review upon completion.
The Oregon State Police were assisted at the scene by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
