Executive Summary
- Superintendent John McDonald confirmed the driver involved in the fatal Nov. 21 crash is no longer employed by RSU 13.
- The crash resulted in the death of 12-year-old student Brayden Callahan.
- The bus involved has been permanently decommissioned and removed from the district’s fleet.
- Police and the District Attorney’s Office continue to investigate, noting the driver has been cooperating.
The bus driver involved in a fatal collision that resulted in the death of a middle school student last month is no longer employed by Regional School Unit 13 (RSU 13), district officials confirmed on Wednesday. The administrative decision follows the November 21 incident in Rockland, Maine, which claimed the life of 12-year-old Brayden Callahan.
Superintendent John McDonald addressed the status of the driver, identified by Rockland Police as Jeffery Colburn, during a school board meeting. “I can say tonight that the bus driver in question is no longer an RSU 13 employee as of Monday,” McDonald stated. The specific terms of the separation were not disclosed during the public session.
According to the Knox County District Attorney’s Office, Colburn was placed on administrative leave immediately following the crash and has been fully cooperating with authorities. In a preliminary report cited by law enforcement, Colburn told responding officers that he did not see the student prior to the impact. The investigation involves multiple agencies reviewing the circumstances of the fatality.
In addition to the personnel change, the district has taken steps to address the equipment involved. Superintendent McDonald confirmed in a letter to families that Bus 9, the vehicle involved in the crash, has been permanently decommissioned and removed from service. A substitute bus is currently in use while the district coordinates with the Maine Department of Education to secure a permanent replacement for the fleet.
Following the tragedy, regular classes were briefly paused to facilitate crisis response efforts. Upon the resumption of school, RSU 13 assigned a substitute driver to the route and deployed volunteer staff members on buses to provide student support. Enhanced counseling services remain available at the middle school and South School to assist the community.
Investigative Outlook and Administrative Protocols
The termination of the driver’s employment marks a significant administrative development as the formal investigation by the Rockland Police Department and the District Attorney’s office proceeds. Authorities have urged the community to exercise patience as they reconstruct the events leading to the collision to determine if any motor vehicle or criminal violations occurred. While the inquiry remains active, it is important to note that all individuals involved in legal or criminal investigations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
