Multiple Ambulances Respond to Bus Crash on Hwy 26

Students in the bus were headed for Western Oregon University to see a performance of West Side Story.

Scene on Highway 26 Wednesday Photo Courtesy: Oregon State Police

(MADRAS) - Oregon State Police troopers are continuing their investigation into Wednesday morning's crash involving a Madras High School bus and four other vehicles on Highway 26 east of Government Camp.

At approximately 8:30 AM Wednesday, a 1998 Thomas Bus registered to the Jefferson County School District operated by 66-year old Jon D. Buslach of Madras, was transporting 20 Madras High School drama club students to Western Oregon University in Monmouth. The school bus was westbound downhill on Highway 26 near milepost 61 when a 1995 Nissan Altima driven by 49-year old Jeffrey A. Leeland of Redmond began to pass it, say police.

As the Nissan was in the process of passing the school bus, investigators say a 2005 Ford Econoline van driven by 42-year old Brigida N. Avendano Guerro of Milwaukie, was eastbound uphill and began to lose control on the snow and ice covered highway.

As the Ford van began to slide broadside towards the westbound lane, the Nissan veered to the left and clipped the Ford van then continued across to south side of the highway.

The Ford van continued broadside into the westbound lane where it was struck in the passenger side by the school bus. After impact, the bus continued into the snow bank on the north side of the highway and the Ford van spun back into the eastbound lanes and came to a stop next to the snow bank on the south side.

Two other eastbound vehicles, a 2004 Dodge Caravan and 1999 Pontiac, were involved in the crash. Neither driver was injured and both vehicles were driven from the scene.

Avendano Guerro was seriously injured and transported by LifeFlight to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland. The van she was driving is registered in Washington and marked as a delivery service company called "California Overnight".

Buslach was using safety restraints and was not injured. According to Jefferson County School District officials, five students were transported by ambulance with minor injuries. One student went to a Redmond hospital and four students went to the Madras-area hospital.

Oregon State Police troopers from The Dalles are continuing the investigation. ODOT, Wasco County Sheriff's Office, Hoodland Fire Department, and AMR ambulance assisted at the scene. Jefferson County Sheriff's Office provided follow-up assistance with the students transported back to the Madras area.

Highway 26 was closed for approximately 3 hours.

No citations have been issued.

The Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Transportation continue to advise motorists to expect heavy snowfall in the Cascades during the next couple of days. Be prepared for low-visibility conditions, snow/ice covered highways with possible chain restrictions, and reduce speeds for safety while driving in these challenging conditions.