Well Known Local School Bus Driver Dies From Hit And Run Injuries

(SALEM) - 65-year old Gary Phillips passed away from injuries suffered

20-Year old Corey Duffield

in a serious hit and run collision at the beginning of this week. He held on for several days but lost his fight for survival Tuesday just before noon,

20-year old Corey Duffield was already charged with felony hit and run and assault, but that was while Mr. Phillips remained in critical condition at Salem Hospital.

Now it is likely that the charges will be elevated to include the death of Gary Phillips. A comment from the District Attorney's Office about new charges was not yet available.

From what court records indicate, Duffield was on his way to work when he hit Mr. Phillips in the crosswalk at the Hawthorne Ave and D Street intersection. He says the light was yellow and he was driving at 40 mph in a 35 mph zone. He added that it was dark, rainy, and foggy at the time of the accident.

Gary Phillip's death was tragic and unanticipated. The family has set up a donation account and anyone interested can visit any branch of Key Bank and contribute to the Gary C. Phillips Donation Account

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Salem Motel 6 January 18, 2011 8:33 pm (Pacific time)

We found Gary Phillips, Laminated poster. Family of Gary please come to motel 6 to claim

Anniedeen Creel, Buddy January 28, 2007 6:50 pm (Pacific time)

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time ... please know how saddened we are by Brother Phillips untimely death ... we pray that God's grace will be sufficient to see you through the coming days ... we love you all and will continue to hold you up in prayer ...

person January 21, 2007 4:08 pm (Pacific time)

if the side mirror was off that means tha man would of been on the side and he should've seen the car coming. i think there is something wrong with the man if he couldn see the car or hear it. i think there is fault on both sides.

Julie from Montana January 21, 2007 10:34 am (Pacific time)

God has a Master Plan, I know... but this is sadder than sad. Gary was a wonderful man whose life touched many lives. I am very sad for the whole family -

Free family January 18, 2007 9:36 pm (Pacific time)

Gary was my sons bus driver last year. He made going on the bus for the first time to and from kindegarten a little more comforting for my son. You should be proud of the man Gary was and the kindness he left as an example for generations of young children. Our hearts go out to you and your family, you are in our prayers!

salem resident January 17, 2007 7:32 pm (Pacific time)

Thoughts and prayers go out to the families effected by this! It's too bad that he wouldn't just turn himself in after all of the information getting out about the case. Things like this make me so frustrated when I drive around Salem and get people acting all crazy. For instance this morning I stoped to let a pedestrian cross at the cross walk, and person in a volkswagon drove around me, and almost hit the young boy crossing, and kept speeding down the street! We all need to be careful of pedestrains on the road!

Debra January 17, 2007 1:42 pm (Pacific time)

Our Deepest Sympathys are with this family. It seems horriable for what has happen, God has a plan for all of us and Mr.Phillips is on his new journey. God bless to his family. Your are always in our prayers. Debra and Family

brenda January 17, 2007 9:03 am (Pacific time)

we send are prayers for the family. This is the worst possible outcome. This tragidy shows how people need to slow down when driving.We are so sadend for the loss of a great person.

Alice January 17, 2007 7:44 am (Pacific time)

This is definitely tragic. My heart goes out to the Phillips family. I feel that even though Mr. Duffield was late to work and was driving fast, wouldn't you realize that you had hit something or someone? Reports said that Mr. Phillips most likely went up and over the car. The car's side mirror was broken off also. I feel for Mr. Duffield, but he had to have known that something happened and yet he didn't stop or turn himself in. Even after reports that a man was hit in the same intersection he had been in, and that a mirror from the car had been found. It is a tragedy.

anon. January 16, 2007 7:02 pm (Pacific time)

It seems sad not to say something. For whatever consolation this event reached half way around the world and I had hoped for a different outcome. I am sorry for the members of both families.

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Well Known Local School Bus Driver Dies From Hit And Run Injuries

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