A Salem-Keizer school bus driver was cited following a fatal crash that claimed the life of a 68-year-old man last month on a rural highway intersection in Polk County, Oregon.
Investigators stated that Chandra Jean Milkovich-Howard, 33, was driving the school bus carrying 30 juveniles and two adults westbound on Highway 22 shortly before 10 a.m. Feb. 23. As she attempted to make a left turn onto southbound Highway 51, the school bus entered the path of an eastbound Honda Pilot driven by Luke Richard Brittan, 68.
The two vehicles collided head-on. Brittan was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a press release, local police said the highway was closed for approximately four hours while crews conducted an on-scene investigation. Authorities determined that an unsafe left turn was the primary cause of the crash.
“The Thomas [Built Buses] operator was issued a citation for the unsafe left turn. The investigation is ongoing and will be forwarded to the district attorney when complete for consideration,” police stated.
Milkovich-Howard and one student sustained minor injuries and were treated at a nearby hospital. The remaining passengers were reported to not be seriously hurt.
Aaron Harada, a representative for the Salem-Keizer School District, told local news reporters that students from North Salem High School were en route to Western Oregon University for a scheduled field trip at the time of the crash.
The district is reportedly cooperating with the investigation while supporting staff and students involved in the incident.
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