5-year-old student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine

"A 5-year-old boy was struck and killed by a school bus in Maine on Tuesday morning. Around 8 a.m., emergency personnel responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a school bus near 437 North East Road in Standish, Maine, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. The kindergarten student, later identified as Simon Gonzalez, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said."

"There was only one child on the bus at the time of the incident, police said. The occupant was the half-brother of Simon, according to News Center Maine. A GoFundMe was set up on Tuesday for the Gonzalez family. "As you can imagine, the family is unprepared for this tragedy and will need all the help they can get," the organizer wrote. As of early Thursday afternoon, over $51,000 was raised, exceeding the $40,000 goal."

"Students were dismissed early on Tuesday and classes at Edna Libby Elementary were canceled on Wednesday, but counselors were available, according to New Center Maine. Less than one month ago, a student was struck and killed by a school bus in Rockland, Maine, according to NBC10 Boston. School transportation is managed at the school administrative level, the Maine Department of Education told News Center Maine. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing. Police did not say whether or not charges against the driver will be sought."

At about 8 a.m. on Tuesday, a 5-year-old kindergarten student, Simon Gonzalez, was struck and killed by a school bus near 437 North East Road in Standish, Maine. Emergency personnel pronounced the child dead at the scene. The bus belonged to Maine School Administrative District 6. Only one child was on the bus, identified as the victim's half-brother. A GoFundMe for the Gonzalez family raised over $51,000 by early Thursday, surpassing a $40,000 goal. Edna Libby Elementary dismissed students early and canceled classes the following day with counselors available. A recent similar fatal bus strike occurred in Rockland less than a month earlier. The crash investigation remains ongoing and police did not say whether charges will be sought.

Read at Boston.com