Simon Gonzalez, Standish, Maine 5 year old boy fatally struck by school bus less than half mile from his school, Edna Libby Elementary School. Cause of crash now being investigated.
A 5 year old old kindergarten student in Maine has died after they were fatally struck by a school bus Tuesday morning.
Simon Gonzalez, 5, who attended Edna Libby Elementary School in Standish was struck and killed by the school bus just on 8 a.m, in the area of 437 Northeast Road according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash scene was near the intersection of Route 114 and less than half a mile from the elementary school the student victim attended. Edna Libby Elementary is in the Bonny Eagle School District.
What led to cause of school bus accident?
The five year old boy was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Sheriff’s Office said one other student, the victim’s half-brother was on the Bonny Eagle School District bus that was involved in the crash.
The school bus was towed away and will be impounded by the sheriff as evidence, Bangor Daily News reported.
Read a statement released by Bonny Eagle Superintendent Clay Gleason, ‘In this difficult time please keep those directly impacted in your thoughts – first and foremost the family of the student, as well as the students and staff of Edna Libby. Speculation or blame on social media is not productive or helpful and is disrespectful to the memory of the student and their family.’
Adding, ‘The immediate focus is on supporting the family, and students and staff at Edna Libby. We have counselors on site to support students and staff.’
Authorities continue to investigate tragedy as Fundraiser is launched
Speaking to WMTW, Simon’s grandfather, Jason Small described his grandson as a happy child who was excited to go to school and on adventures with his family.
‘Simon loved life. He loved to just be on the go,’ Small told the outlet. ‘Our family has been devastated by this loss. … He was and always will be extremely loved and missed by his whole family and everyone that knew him.’
Edna Libby school administrators dismissed students at 11:30 a.m.
The cause and circumstances surrounding the crash are being investigated by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Maine State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit and Maine State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit.\
A GoFundme fundraiser to assist the victim’s family come Tuesday night had raised just on $40K.
It remained unclear if the school bus driver would now face any charges.
