Executive Summary
- Oregon State Police cited a Salem-Keizer bus driver for an unsafe left turn.
- The head-on collision on Highway 22 resulted in the death of 68-year-old Luke Richard Brittan.
- Investigators determined the bus turned into the path of an oncoming Honda Pilot.
Oregon State Police have cited a Salem-Keizer school bus driver for a traffic violation following a fatal collision involving a small SUV on Highway 22 in Polk County. The incident, which occurred on February 23, resulted in the death of a local motorist and has prompted an official review of the circumstances surrounding the crash.
According to law enforcement officials, the school bus was attempting to execute a left turn from Highway 22 onto southbound Highway 51 when it collided head-on with a Honda Pilot. Investigators determined that the turn was unsafe given the traffic conditions at the time. The driver of the Honda, identified as 68-year-old Luke Richard Brittan of Independence, sustained fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene.
State troopers issued a citation to the bus driver specifically for the unsafe left turn. The police report indicates that the investigation is ongoing as authorities document the scene and reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the impact. No details regarding potential passengers on the bus were immediately released in the initial summary.
Traffic Safety Inquiry
This fatal incident highlights critical safety concerns regarding high-traffic intersections and heavy transport vehicles. As the Oregon State Police finalize their collision reconstruction, the findings will likely inform both potential legal proceedings and reviews of bus route safety protocols. The citation issued at the scene represents the initial law enforcement response, though the full scope of liability will be determined as the investigation concludes.
It is important to note that all individuals cited or charged with a violation are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
