Standish, Maine – A quiet school morning in Standish, Maine, turned tragic Tuesday when a 5-year-old kindergarten student was struck and killed by a school bus near Edna Libby Elementary School. The child, identified by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office as Simon Gonzalez, died at the scene after the crash occurred just before 8 a.m. on Northeast Road near Route 114 during school pick-up time.
Authorities said the bus was transporting one other student at the time—the victim’s half brother. Few details about the circumstances have been released as the investigation remains ongoing, with assistance from the Maine State Police Reconstruction Unit and Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit. Officials have not identified the driver or indicated whether charges will be filed.
“This is an unimaginable loss,” said Bonny Eagle Superintendent Clay Gleason in a statement, urging compassion and restraint. “Speculation or blame on social media is not productive or helpful and is disrespectful to the memory of the student and their family.” Edna Libby Elementary dismissed students early Tuesday and canceled classes Wednesday, opening the school instead for counseling and support services.
The tragedy has deeply affected the MSAD 6 school district, which includes Standish and surrounding communities. Parks and recreation departments in Standish and Hollis canceled youth programs and after-school activities, emphasizing care over routine. “Right now, schedules and programs don’t matter—people do,” Hollis Parks and Recreation wrote online.
This marks the second fatal school bus crash involving a Maine student in just one month, renewing attention on student transportation safety. According to the Maine Department of Transportation, there were 480 school bus crashes statewide between 2019 and 2023. National data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that pedestrians—particularly children ages 5 to 10—are among the most vulnerable in school transportation incidents.
As flowers and messages appear near the crash site, the Standish community is rallying around Simon Gonzalez’s family, offering support and reflection. In moments like these, residents say, the focus turns to protecting children and strengthening the systems meant to keep them safe.
