OSP: Shuttle bus crashes on I-5 after driver drops water bottle

An airport shuttle bus left Interstate 5 and crashed south of Woodburn Saturday morning, injuring the driver and his two passengers, when the driver dropped a water bottle and tried to retrieve it, Oregon State Police said.

According to Trooper Kevin Ely, around 7:40 a.m.m., a 2011 Freightliner bus registered to HUT Transport was heading south near milepost 269 when the operator, Jack Heisler, 72, of Stayton, dropped a water bottle.

Passengers on the bus said they saw Heisler try to retrieve the bottle on the floor when he lost control. The bus crossed the center median, broke through the cable barrier and crossed the northbound lanes as well, then left the road and rolled onto its driver’s side, they said.

Heisler and both passengers were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries, Ely said.

During the crash, part of the bus struck a southbound 1995 Saturn sedan driven by Michael Griffin, 62, of Eugene. He was unhurt, the trooper said.

At least two lanes of I-5 northbound were closed for hours while recovery efforts on the bus were underway..

The investigation is continuing, and any witnesses to the crash were urged to contact Trooper Ely of the Salem Area Command at 503-930-6145.