A 5-year-old kindergartner was struck and killed by a Bonny Eagle school bus Tuesday morning less than a half-mile from Edna Libby Elementary School, investigators said. The child, identified as Simon Gonzalez, died at the scene along Route 35 as his half-brother, the only student on the bus, looked on, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
The death jolted the tight-knit community west of Portland and prompted immediate changes to the school day. District leaders dismissed Edna Libby students early Tuesday and said classes would resume Thursday with counselors on campus. Sheriff’s investigators are reconstructing the moments before the collision while documenting the bus’s route, driver statements and any nearby camera footage. Authorities have not released a cause, describing a still-active probe that will include crash reconstruction and reviews of training and procedures. For families, the loss sharpened attention on morning pickup routines along rural roads that funnel traffic toward the elementary campus.
The crash happened just before 8 a.m. Tuesday along Ossipee Trail East (Route 35), a winding corridor lined with homes and driveways north of the Sebago Lake area. Deputies, firefighters and EMS arrived within minutes and found the child gravely injured near Wharf Lane. Medics could not revive him. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed only one student was aboard the bus at the time—the victim’s half-brother—along with the driver and a monitor. “Our thoughts are with the family and the students and staff of Edna Libby,” Superintendent Clay Gleason said in a message to families. Sheriff Kevin Joyce said detectives are working to determine how the child came into the bus’s path and whether sightlines, stop locations or other factors played a role.
Officials released the child’s name—Simon Gonzalez—on Tuesday afternoon after notifying relatives. Deputies secured the bus and mapped the scene with measuring equipment while tow crews rerouted morning traffic. The Sheriff’s Office said the bus belongs to Maine School Administrative District 6, which serves communities including Buxton, Hollis, Limington and Standish. Investigators noted that the bus was the only vehicle involved and that no other students were injured. The district said it was cooperating fully with law enforcement and would provide staffing for counseling and classroom support when students returned.
Witness accounts gathered by deputies describe a brief, chaotic moment as the bus approached a stop near the school’s neighborhood streets. Neighbors said they saw flashing hazard lights and heard shouts before first responders converged. Parents arriving for later drop-offs found roadblocks around Island Bay Drive and a significant emergency presence near the school’s feeder roads. One neighbor, who asked to be identified only by her first name, described the street as “busy at pickup” with cars turning into driveways as buses move between stops. Officials have not said whether the bus’s exterior cameras or nearby home systems captured the collision; they said any video would become part of the case file.
Superintendent Gleason’s letter urged the community to avoid online speculation while the Sheriff’s Office conducts its review. The district dismissed Edna Libby students at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and arranged for counselors and social workers to be available when classes resume Thursday. Parents and staff said the school’s flag was lowered and a small memorial of flowers and stuffed animals began forming near the campus sign by evening. At nearby Bonny Eagle Middle and High schools, administrators shared the district update and offered counseling resources for older siblings and teammates who knew the family.
In the hours after the crash, the Sheriff’s Office interviewed the driver and the small number of witnesses at the scene and began standard post-crash testing. Authorities did not release the driver’s name immediately but said they would identify all involved parties once preliminary reports were complete. Deputies said the investigation will analyze the bus’s mechanical condition, the precise stop location, visibility and weather at the time, and any compliance issues related to state pupil-transportation rules. Officials have not announced citations or charges and emphasized that determining fault requires full reconstruction.
Standish and surrounding towns have seen steady growth along commuter routes that intersect with school bus corridors. Safety advocates note that winter sun angles, twilight pickup times and long driveways can complicate morning routines for young students who walk from homes to designated stops. Within MSAD 6, prior incidents over the years have prompted periodic reviews of stop placements and driver training. State education officials maintain guidance for districts on driver qualifications, route planning and emergency response; local boards typically revisit those procedures after serious crashes.
Community members and relatives described Simon as energetic and curious, a kindergartner who loved to be outdoors. His grandfather said the family was “devastated beyond words,” thanking neighbors and school staff who tried to help. Teachers at Edna Libby remembered a friendly classmate, and parents organized quiet gestures of support, including cards and a meal train for the family. A crowdfunding page launched by a community member drew hundreds of messages by Wednesday evening, reflecting the reach of the tragedy across the Bonny Eagle district.
Next steps in the case include a detailed crash reconstruction by the Sheriff’s Office and a review of any physical evidence from the bus. Investigators will compile witness statements, driver records and any video into a report that will go to prosecutors for review. The district said it would continue to communicate with families as counselors support students and staff. Funeral arrangements had not been announced as of Thursday morning. Officials said additional information would be released when the preliminary report is finished.
By Thursday morning, the Sheriff’s investigation remained active, Edna Libby students were set to return to class, and the community was preparing memorial plans for the days ahead.
Author note: Last updated December 18, 2025.