More details released in Monday I-84 bus incident

MORROW COUNTY – Oregon State Police (OSP) have released more details about an incident Monday on a passenger bus that was traveling westbound on Interstate 84 near the Morrow/Umatilla County line.

An OSP report says that a preliminary investigation revealed that Noel Alejandro Rodriguez, 24, no hometown given, was kicked off the MTR Western bus after assaulting another passenger. Rodriguez then attempted to enter a storage compartment underneath the bus and was confronted by the bus driver. Rodriguez then assaulted the driver, a 64-year-old man from Christmas Valley, knocking him to the ground and repeatedly punching him in the head. While being struck the driver pulled out a punch knife and stabbed Rodriguez.

When Boardman Fire Rescue District responded they immediately called for Life Flight to transport Rodriguez to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland. Another passenger, a 41-year-old man from Roseburg who was also listed as a victim in the report, was transported by ambulance to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Hermiston.

No further information was given about where this bus had originated or what its destination was. MTR Western does offer fixed and charter routes, including a fixed route between Bend and Ontario. MTR Western was contacted by Elkhorn Media Group to find out if passengers continued onto their destination on the same bus, or if other arrangements had to be made. As of Tuesday morning, MTR Western had yet to respond.

Photo courtesy of Boardman Fire Rescue District

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Elkhorn Media Group