SALEM, Marion County, Ore., Sept. 26, 2026 — A school bus and a passenger vehicle collided on Saturday, September 26, near the Market Street off-ramp in Salem. Both vehicles reportedly ended up near Pietro's Pizza, where responding officers and emergency crews gathered following the crash.
One person reportedly requested medical attention for a knee injury, according to the caller who reported the crash to dispatchers. No children were on the school bus at the time, and the condition of the injured person has not been released.
Emergency responders, including police and medics, were sent to the scene. It remains unclear what led to the collision or which vehicle may have caused it. No further details on citations or fault have been released.
The crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not said whether any additional injuries occurred or whether the off-ramp was closed during the response.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
A Common Misconception About School Bus Crashes
Many people assume school bus crashes are especially deadly because the vehicles are large and carry children. In reality, school buses are among the safer ways for kids to get to school, largely because of their size, weight, and design, which is built around protecting the seating compartment in a crash.
The bigger risk in many school-bus-related incidents involves people outside the bus, drivers of other vehicles, or pedestrians near the bus rather than the students riding inside it. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,079 people were killed in school-transportation-related traffic crashes from 2014 through 2023, a figure that includes occupants of other vehicles and pedestrians as well as those on buses themselves.
That distinction matters when weighing where the real danger sits in these crashes. The vehicle a bus collides with, and the people in or around it, usually carry more of the risk than the bus riders do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a car accident?
Move to a safe location if possible, check for injuries, and call 911. Exchange information with other drivers involved and avoid discussing fault at the scene. If police respond, ask how to obtain a copy of the report once it's filed.
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
Crashes are common at intersections, on ramps, and in areas where traffic merges or slows suddenly, such as off-ramps connecting to city streets. Sudden speed changes and merging vehicles in these areas raise the chance of a collision.
What injuries are most common in car accidents?
Knee, neck, and back injuries are frequent, along with cuts and bruises from impact or airbag deployment. Some injuries, including soft tissue damage, may not be immediately obvious and can take hours or days to appear.
What to Do After a Bus Accident in Salem, OR
If you're involved in or witness a bus accident in Salem, stay calm and check on anyone who may be hurt before doing anything else. Call 911 right away so police and medics can respond and begin assessing injuries.
Even if you feel fine, it's worth getting checked by a medical provider afterward, since some injuries take time to show symptoms. Keep any paperwork from responding agencies and follow up with them if you need a copy of the official report for insurance or records purposes.
