Luke Brittan Killed in Bus Accident near Salem, OR

Basic Facts

Crash date: February 23, 2026

Crash location: State Highway 22 and State Highway 51 in Polk County, OK

People involved:

• Luke Robert Brittan, 68
• Unidentified bus driver
• Unknown number of students

Do authorities suspect alcohol played a role in this crash? Unknown

Did authorities recommend criminal charges? Unknown

Do authorities suspect a product defect caused the crash? Unknown

Accident Report

Polk County, OR — February 23, 2026, Luke Brittan was killed in a bus accident at about 9:50 a.m. on Salem Dallas Highway/State Highway 22.

Authorities said a Salem-Keizer School District bus collided with a Honda Pilot while attempting to pass another vehicle near the intersection with Independence Highway/State Highway 51.

The SUV driver, 68-year-old Independence resident Luke Robert Brittan, died from injuries suffered in the crash, according to authorities.

The bus was transporting West Salem High School students on a field trip, officials said. The driver and one student were hospitalized with minor injuries, while the rest of the students were taken back to the school after the crash west of Salem.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Polk County crash at this time.

How Did This Accident Occur?

There are too many unknowns at this point to know who is to blame for this crash. Initial reports indicate the school bus was trying to pass another vehicle at the time of the crash, but we don’t know if that maneuver was legal or safe. A man was killed and students were put in jeopardy, so authorities must investigate this crash thoroughly to determine how it happened.

During my career, I’ve seen many instances where authorities were more interested in getting damaged vehicles off the road than figuring out how they ended up that way. Those affected by this crash deserve to know what happened.

Do you know anything that may help give them answers?