Man Accused of Killing Salem School Bus Driver Due in Court Friday

Corey Duffield, of Salem. Photo: MCSO

(SALEM) - The man accused of hitting and killing a Salem school bus driver last month is due back in court Friday afternoon.

20-year old Corey Duffield of Salem faces charges of felony hit and run and assault, in connection with the death of 65-year old Gary Phillips.

Now it is likely that the charges will be elevated to include first-degree manslaughter, which is a Measure 11 offense that carries a 10-year minimum sentence.

Phillips was struck on Jan. 8th at about 6:10 AM at the Hawthorne Ave and D Street intersection near the Salem-Keizer School District bus barn.

Gary Phillips died from his injuries on Jan. 16th.

According to court records, Duffield said he was on his way to work, and hit Phillips in the crosswalk at the Hawthorne Ave and D Street intersection.

He said there was a yellow light, he was traveling at 40 mph in a 35 mph zone, and it was dark, rainy, and foggy at the time of the accident.

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Come on people, let's take some responsibility for our own actions! He may have hit him on accident. He failed to stop and that was intentional. I think I am also going to sue fast food restaurants because I am over weight. A waste of jail space? He should have thought about that when he fled the scene after hitting him in his car. That is NO MISTAKE.

I agree A.A. It doesn't seem like any would gain by making this a case of vengance for Gary. A waste of a jail cell and more life, for a bad mistake

I don't mean to be uselessly abstract.,nor presumtuous as I'd never met Mr. Phillips. There's been a lot of talk and comments lately due to news, local and elsewhere, to apply a "jungle justice" principal to the latest perpatrators of willful crimes against people. In some cases I may agree, for whatever it's worth. May I suggest in this case though, Mr.Phillips would hear none of it!, and to look at this in his light rather than the shadow of this recent "dark time" of the last few days? A fine human being has been killed and another possibly fine human being has had his life changed forever. In this case I'm hoping for a "higher" forgiveness, call it mercy if you want, or spiritual or just plain human, as well as justice. I hope I'm not speaking out of turn but I can't imagine Mr. Phillips wanting any violent repercussions. I followed this story from the first article as many of you must have, and live halfway around the world now but from Oregon another lifetime ago it seems. I'm sorry for the entire event.

This would be a good story to tell to h.s. drivers ed classes. nobody thinks it will happen to them, until it does. Then, in one second, your life changes forever. That's when you're sorry you didn't just listen.

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