Full Breakdown
Community Mourns 5-Year-Old Simon Gonzalez Following Tragic School Bus Accident
12/22/2025, 8:11:53 AM
Vigil Held to Honor Simon Gonzalez
On December 16, 2025, the Standish community gathered to honor 5-year-old Simon Gonzalez, who was tragically struck and killed by a school bus. The vigil took place at the town boat launch, a location where Gonzalez often spent time with his grandfather, Jason Small. Over 130 community members attended, many dressed in yellow, Gonzalez's favorite color, and shared their grief through candlelight and heartfelt embraces.
Gonzalez was a kindergartener at Edna Libby Elementary School and was the second student in Maine to be killed by a school bus in 2025. Jessica Putnam, a family friend, organized the vigil to remember Gonzalez and raise awareness about school crossing safety. “Everyone is shaken to their core,” she stated, emphasizing the need for community action to improve safety measures.
Calls for Improved School Bus Safety
In the wake of the tragedy, Jason Small has become an advocate for enhanced school bus safety protocols. He proposed measures such as the installation of human monitors on buses and mandatory brake checks to ensure no child is in the vicinity before the bus departs. Small expressed his desire to prevent further tragedies, stating, “If it takes another five minutes, who cares? At least we’re not burying another child.”
Additionally, three state lawmakers are working on legislation that would require all Maine school buses to be equipped with crossing arms and mandate their use during drop-offs. This initiative follows the death of 12-year-old Brayden Callahan, who was killed by a school bus in Rockland just weeks prior. Lawmakers Valli Geiger, Ann Matlack, and Sen. Pinny Beebe-Center are spearheading this effort, aiming to close existing safety loopholes.
Investigation and Official Responses
The Maine State Police, along with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and the National Transportation Safety Board, are conducting an investigation into the Standish incident. Preliminary reports indicate that the bus driver was not distracted at the time of the accident, and no drug or alcohol tests were administered. The official crash report noted that Gonzalez suffered a fatal head injury, while the bus driver and another child passenger were unharmed. Sheriff Kevin Joyce has urged the community to be patient as the investigation unfolds, acknowledging the profound impact of the tragedy.
Community Reflection and Future Actions
As the vigil concluded, attendees sang “Amazing Grace,” symbolizing their collective sorrow and hope for change. Small emphasized the importance of community unity in ensuring that such incidents do not recur, stating, “Every kid deserves to go home and see their parents.” The Standish community, alongside the families affected, is committed to honoring the memories of Simon Gonzalez and Brayden Callahan through advocacy for safer school transportation practices.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He loved being with his people.” — Jason Small, Grandfather
- “Everyone is shaken to their core,” — Jessica Putnam, Vigil Organizer
- “If it takes another five minutes, who cares? At least we’re not burying another child.” — Jason Small, Grandfather
- “I think two deaths in a month certainly suggests that we need to be looking at bus safety in a more targeted way than we have in the past,” — Rep. Valli Geiger, Lawmaker
The community's response reflects a deep commitment to ensuring the safety of children and preventing future tragedies.
