Simon Gonzalez dies in fatal Standish, Maine school bus crash

Simon Gonzalez dies in fatal Standish, Maine school bus crash
Fatal Standish, Maine school bus crash death of Simon Gonzalez – Obituary

Simon Gonzalez, a 5-year-old kindergarten student from Standish, Maine, lost his life in a tragic school bus incident that occurred in mid-December, according to newly released federal findings. The child was a student at Edna Libby School and was killed during a morning pickup along Route 35.

A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board outlines that the crash happened around 8 a.m. on Dec. 16, 2025, when a school bus operated by Maine School Administrative District #6 was stopped in the southbound lane to pick up students. One child had already boarded when Simon approached the bus from behind on the right side.

Investigators say that as Simon reached the passenger doors, they began to close. He extended his arm into the doorway, becoming trapped between the doors as the bus pulled away from the stop. The bus continued traveling south, dragging the child for roughly 280 feet before he was dislodged, fell onto the roadway, and was run over by the bus.

The bus driver and the other student on board were not injured. Emergency responders pronounced Simon Gonzalez dead at the scene. At this time, no criminal charges have been filed, and authorities have not released information about the driver.

The NTSB continues to investigate the incident to determine the probable cause and has stated that safety recommendations will be issued to help prevent similar tragedies in the future. Local and state agencies, including the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Maine State Police, and the Maine Department of Transportation, are assisting in the ongoing investigation.

Simon Gonzalez’s death has deeply affected the Standish community and renewed statewide discussions about school transportation safety in Maine.