A collision in downtown Salem involving a Cherriots bus left 68-year-old Joseph Chandler dead on Wednesday afternoon. According to Salem police, the crash occurred when the bus, traveling westbound on Union Street, attempted a right turn onto northbound High Street and struck Chandler in a crosswalk.
The bus driver remained on the scene and cooperated with investigators. While the details are still unfolding, incidents like this raise important questions about the operation of large commercial vehicles in busy urban areas. In this case, I have many questions regarding why the bus driver didn’t notice the pedestrian.
Did the Bus Driver Adequately Check for Pedestrians Before Turning?
One of the first questions investigators should address is whether the bus driver had a clear line of sight when approaching the intersection. Blind spots on large buses can obscure pedestrians, particularly during turns. Was the driver relying on mirrors alone, or did they check their surroundings adequately before making the turn?
Was the Bus Operating Safely for the Intersection?
Large vehicles like buses require extra care when navigating turns in congested areas. Investigators should consider whether the bus was traveling at an appropriate speed for the conditions and whether the driver was following established safety protocols.
Bus drivers are trained to execute wide turns to avoid cutting across lanes or curbs, but improper execution of these maneuvers can lead to collisions with pedestrians or other vehicles.
What Evidence Should Be Collected?
To gain a full understanding of the events leading up to this crash, investigators should examine footage from onboard cameras on the bus, which may provide insight into the driver’s actions and visibility. The driver's cell phone records may also be useful in determining if distraction was a factor.
Additionally, physical evidence, such as the position of the bus and the pedestrian’s location in the crosswalk, can help reconstruct the sequence of events. Witness statements from passengers on the bus or bystanders at the intersection may also shed light on what happened.
Why These Questions Are Critical
When a commercial vehicle is involved in a fatal collision, it’s essential to uncover every contributing factor. Understanding whether driver actions or other circumstances played a role is key to ensuring accountability and providing answers for those impacted by the crash. In my experience, thorough investigations into crashes like this often reveal critical details that help clarify what went wrong.