Field Trip Turns Fatal After School Bus Carrying 30 Students Collides Head-On With SUV

A routine school field trip turned into a devastating tragedy on an Oregon highway.

One man is dead after an SUV collided head-on with a school bus carrying dozens of students in western Oregon earlier this week. Authorities say the bus driver has since been cited for allegedly making an unsafe turn.

The crash happened just before 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 23, along Highway 22 near the intersection of Highway 51 in Polk County, according to the Oregon State Police.

Investigators say the school bus, affiliated with Salem-Keizer Public Schools, was traveling west when the driver, 33-year-old Chandra Jean Milkovich-Howard, attempted to make a left turn onto Highway 51.

That’s when tragedy struck.

Police say the bus entered the path of an eastbound Honda Pilot, leading to a violent head-on collision.

On board the bus were 30 students and two adults, including the driver.

The SUV’s driver, 68-year-old Luke Richard Brittan of Independence, Oregon, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said the bus driver and one student suffered minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital. No other serious injuries were reported.

The stretch of highway remained closed for about four hours as crews investigated the fatal crash.

Milkovich-Howard was later issued a citation for an unsafe left turn. Police say the investigation remains ongoing, and once complete, the findings will be forwarded to the district attorney’s office for review.

The bus had been transporting students from North Salem High School to Western Oregon University in Monmouth for a field trip, according to local reports. It was one of two buses headed to the university. The second bus was not involved in the crash.

Aaron Harada, a spokesperson for the school district, called the incident “a terribly tragic event.”

“Our hearts and thoughts go out to the family of the driver who lost their life,” Harada said. “We are fully cooperating with the investigation while also supporting our staff and students who were on board at the time of the incident.”

Following the crash, students from both buses were transported back to the high school. Counseling and emotional support services have been made available to those affected.

The Salem Fire Department, which responded to the scene, noted that incidents involving school transportation require coordinated communication and strong interagency teamwork.