A routine school bus route in Polk County ended in tragedy Monday morning when a left turn at a major highway intersection led to a deadly crash. The collision happened around 9:51 a.m. on February 23, 2026, at Highway 22 and Highway 51, leaving one man dead and a community searching for answers.
According to Oregon State Police, 33-year-old Chandra Jean Milkovich-Howard of Turner was driving a westbound Salem-Keizer Thomas school bus when she attempted to turn left onto southbound Highway 51. Investigators say the bus entered the path of an eastbound Honda Pilot.
The SUV, driven by 68-year-old Luke Richard Brittan of Independence, struck the bus head-on. Brittan was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officials described the crash as the result of an unsafe left turn.
Milkovich-Howard sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Authorities confirmed she was cited in connection with the unsafe turn that investigators believe caused the crash.
The bus was carrying two adults and 30 students at the time. One student suffered a minor injury and was taken to a nearby hospital. No other serious injuries were reported among the passengers, a fact that prevented an even greater tragedy.
The intersection remained impacted for approximately four hours as law enforcement conducted a detailed on-scene investigation. Traffic was diverted while crews worked to document the crash and clear the wreckage.
The case remains under investigation and will be forwarded to the district attorney for review once completed. Oregon State Police were assisted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
What began as a normal weekday morning quickly turned into a heartbreaking reminder of how fast life can change on the road. In Polk County, the focus now shifts to accountability, healing, and remembering the man who did not make it home.
