Executive Summary
- Maine officials released the crash report for the December 16 fatality involving 5-year-old Simon Gonzalez.
- The report cites unidentified contributing factors regarding both the bus mechanics and the driver’s actions.
- Investigators determined the driver was not distracted and appeared normal; no toxicology tests were administered.
- Weather conditions were clear with wet road surfaces at the time of the accident.
STANDISH, Maine — The State of Maine released the official crash report on Saturday evening regarding the school bus accident that resulted in the death of 5-year-old Simon Gonzalez on December 16.
According to the official documentation, the bus driver appeared normal and was not distracted at the time of the incident. Investigators noted that no drug or alcohol tests were administered to the driver following the crash. The driver’s identity has not been disclosed publicly as no criminal charges have been filed in connection with the fatality.
The report cites an unidentified "contributing circumstance" related to the school bus itself. Additionally, investigators recorded an unspecified "contributing action" on the part of the bus driver at the time of the collision. The document notes that while the weather was clear, the road surface was wet.
According to the crash report, Gonzalez suffered a fatal head injury. Neither the school bus driver nor another child passenger on the vehicle sustained injuries during the incident.
Investigative Outlook
The release of these details marks a significant step in the inquiry into the fatal incident, pointing towards a combination of mechanical and operational factors. The citation of contributing actions by both the vehicle and the driver indicates a multifaceted investigation that will likely require further forensic analysis to determine the precise cause of the malfunction or error. It is important to note that while the report identifies contributing factors, no charges have been filed, and any potential subjects of the investigation are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
