Theresa McCloud, 75, was indicted on charges of homicide by vehicle and criminally negligent homicide after a Nov. 18, 2025 school bus crash in Auburn, Alabama, that killed 42-year-old Jennifer Leigh Cooper. Supporters say McCloud suffered a sudden medical emergency — a severe low blood sugar episode reported at 23 mg/dL — while driving. A civil suit alleges McCloud has diabetes, was prescribed opiates shortly before the crash and warned supervisors she felt unwell that morning. McCloud is held on a $12,000 bond and both criminal and civil cases are pending.
Alabama School Bus Driver Indicted After Fatal Crash; Supporters Cite Sudden Medical Emergency
School bus (stock image)Credit: Getty
Theresa McCloud, a 75-year-old Auburn school bus driver, was indicted by a Lee County grand jury and arrested on charges of homicide by vehicle and criminally negligent homicide in connection with a Nov. 18, 2025, crash that killed 42-year-old Jennifer Leigh Cooper.
Authorities say McCloud was operating an Auburn City Schools bus just after 8 a.m. near East University Drive when the bus struck a passenger vehicle, killing Cooper, a local mother and owner of Gigi's Cupcakes. The indictment follows an investigation into the circumstances of the collision.
Supporters Say Medical Crisis Caused Crash
McCloud's family and supporters have argued that she suffered a sudden medical emergency while driving — a severe drop in blood sugar. A now-deleted GoFundMe posted by supporters said her blood sugar fell to 23 mg/dL, causing confusion and loss of consciousness. The fundraiser was removed after GoFundMe told PEOPLE the platform prohibits fundraisers for the legal defense of someone charged with a violent crime.
Police tape (stock image)Credit: Getty
"Theresa's blood sugar suddenly dropped to 23 mg/dL while driving, causing confusion and loss of consciousness," the supporters wrote, according to local reporting. "Theresa had never experienced a low blood sugar episode before, and doctors confirmed that this was a medical crisis."
Civil Lawsuit Alleges Medical Conditions and Medication
A civil complaint filed by the victim's husband and obtained by AL.com alleges that McCloud has diabetes, had been prescribed opiate pain medication two days before the crash, and warned Auburn City Schools supervisors that she did not feel well the morning of the incident. The complaint claims the prescription carried warnings about driving while taking the medication.
According to the lawsuit, McCloud was instructed to pick up elementary students but instead tried to drop them at Auburn High School before leaving and later losing control of the bus at approximately 8:04 a.m. The complaint alleges that prior diabetic episodes and recent use of opiates "severely impaired her ability to drive any vehicle and made her unable to perform her duties as a bus driver." Those allegations have not been proven in court.
Responses And Next Steps
McCloud's relatives dispute some claims in the civil complaint, saying in the removed fundraiser that she had never experienced a low blood sugar episode before and asking for support to ensure she has a fair opportunity to present her side. Attorneys for Cooper's estate said the family is relying on the justice system and asked the community to keep the family and other parents who entrust children to bus drivers in their thoughts.
McCloud is being held in the Lee County Jail on a $12,000 bond, according to local reports. The criminal case and the civil lawsuit are both pending, and officials have said details from investigations will continue to emerge as the legal process moves forward.
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