Crash Involving School Bus Injures Driver, Student

Heavy rain showers and standing water on the roadway were possible contributing factors.

Photo courtesy: Oregon State Police

(SILVERTON, Ore. ) - A school bus driver and one teenage passenger received minor injuries Monday afternoon when their school bus lost control and flipped onto its side on Highway 213 north of Silverton.

The bus was transporting four students from Salem-area Livingstone Adventists Academy. According to Oregon State Police Sergeant Dale Young, at about 4:20 PM, a school bus from Livingstone Adventist Academy driven by 38-year-old Raymond Ortiz, from Salem, was traveling northbound on Highway 213 carrying four high school students coming down a short hill near Herigstad Road.

The school bus was approaching a northbound Toyota sedan from behind when the Toyota slowed down and signaled to turn right into it's driveway. A northbound minivan between the Toyota and school bus slammed on its brakes at the last moment, nearly striking the Toyota and almost losing control. Ortiz braked to avoid a collision with the minivan. The bus began to slide sideways out of control, spun around 180-degrees across the southbound lane, and as its tires hit the soft shoulder the bus flipped onto its right side. The driver of the minivan did not stop.

Ortiz and a 17-year old student identified as Garrett Holmes from Oregon City, were transported to Silverton Hospital where they were treated and released for minor injuries.

Holmes was seated on the left side of the bus. Three other male students ages 14, 15, and 16, were not injured. They were seated on the right side of the bus.

Heavy rain showers and standing water on the roadway were possible contributing factors.

OSP troopers from the Salem Area Command office are completing the investigation.

No citations have been issued.
Source: Oregon State Police