Salem, OR (February 27, 2026) – A school bus made an unsafe left turn on Monday morning, February 23, resulting in a crash that killed another driver and injured a student near Salem. The collision occurred on OR-22 just before 10 a.m. near the intersection with OR-51.
The school bus, carrying about 30 high school students, turned onto southbound OR-51 in front of an eastbound Honda Pilot driven by 68-year-old Luke Richard Brittan of Independence. Brittan was pronounced dead at the scene. The bus driver, 33-year-old Chandra Jean Milkovich-Howard, and a student were taken to Salem Health hospital with minor injuries.
Milkovich-Howard was cited for making an unsafe left turn. Authorities continue to investigate the crash. Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased.
How Unsafe Turns Contribute to Serious Crashes
Left turns are among the most common causes of serious collisions because they often put vehicles directly in the path of oncoming traffic. Drivers must judge speed and distance accurately, and miscalculations can lead to head-on crashes.
Traffic volume, visibility, and road layout all affect safety during turns. On busy roads, even small mistakes can result in severe injuries or fatalities.
Pedestrians, bicyclists, and passengers inside vehicles are especially vulnerable during turning accidents. Slowing down, checking oncoming traffic carefully, and avoiding risky maneuvers can help reduce crash risks, though collisions can still occur unexpectedly.
