A 5-year-old kindergartner, Simon Gonzalez, was killed after being struck by a Bonny Eagle school bus on Route 35 in Standish, Maine, just before 8:00 a.m. on Dec. 16. The victim's half-brother was the only student on the bus at the time. Cumberland County authorities have opened a full investigation while the school district and family mourn. A GoFundMe for the family raised more than $44,000 by Dec. 17.
Kindergartner, 5, Fatally Struck by School Bus in Standish, Maine; Half-Brother Was Aboard
GoFundMeSimon Gonzalez.
A 5-year-old kindergartner, Simon Gonzalez, was fatally struck by a school bus in Standish, Maine, on the morning of Dec. 16, local officials confirmed.
The incident occurred just before 8:00 a.m. on Route 35, less than half a mile from Edna Libby Elementary School. Emergency responders pronounced the child dead at the scene, according to local reports.
Authorities said the bus was operated by the Bonny Eagle School District. Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce told reporters that the victim's half-brother was the only student on board the bus at the time of the collision. The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office has opened a full investigation into the circumstances of the crash.
GoogleMapsEdna Libby School Elementary School in Standish, Maine.
Superintendent Clay Gleason of Maine School Administrative District 06 informed families and staff of the tragedy in a written statement. Students at Edna Libby Elementary were dismissed early that day, at 11:30 a.m., while the district coordinated with law enforcement and support services for students and staff.
“It is with great sadness that I share the news that there was a fatal accident involving an elementary school aged student and a Bonny Eagle school bus this morning,” Gleason wrote. He asked the community to refrain from speculation on social media and to keep the family and school community in their thoughts.
Family members described the boy as joyful and full of life. Jason Small, the child's grandfather, told local media: “Simon loved life. He loved to just be on the go... He was and always will be extremely loved and missed by his whole family and everyone that knew him.”
A community member has set up a GoFundMe to assist the family with expenses; the fundraiser had raised more than $44,000 as of Dec. 17. Officials continue to investigate the collision and have not yet released additional details about how the accident occurred.
Help us improve.
