Less than a month after a 12-year-old was killed in Rockland, Maine, a 5-year-old has died in the same state.

According to WGME, the accident happened December 16, around 7:30 a.m. in Standish two blocks from Edna Libby elementary school. Local authorities released the name of the student: Simon Gonzalez, a kindergartner on a Bonny Eagle school district bus. 

One other student was on board at the time. Some reports say the other bus passenger was the victim's half-brother.

The school bus was towed and impounded as evidence as an investigation continues.

Major incident in Standish this morning with a massive police response.

Multiple reports state this is a crash involving a bus and a student.

We're working on gathering more details. pic.twitter.com/QZyLa5rR2e

— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) December 16, 2025

The name of the driver was released, 64-year-old Lori Ann Merrifield, the Bangor Daily News reported.

That morning, Bonny Eagle Superintendent Clay Gleason released the following statement: "It is with great sadness that I share the news that there was a fatal accident involving an elementary school aged student and a Bonny Eagle school bus this morning around 8:00 AM. Edna Libby will be dismissing students at 11:30 AM today to allow parents or caregivers to be with their children and for staff to receive support in the aftermath of this tragedy. To maintain normalcy for the rest of our students at this time the school day will go on as scheduled in all other district schools. All afterschool activities, however, are canceled. I have been in communication with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and a full investigation will be forthcoming to determine how this tragic accident took place. In this difficult time please keep those directly impacted in your thoughts - first and foremost the family of the student, as well as the students and staff of Edna Libby. Speculation or blame on social media is not productive or helpful and is disrespectful to the memory of the student and their family. The immediate focus is on supporting the family, and students and staff at Edna Libby. We have counselors on site to support students and staff. If you have a specific concern for your child, whether they attend Standish Schools or any other school in the district, please contact your child’s school for support. More information about any impact on the school day for later this week will be made available once our administration has had a chance to process and plan. Our community has always been strong and supportive. Let’s keep that BE Strength going through this tragic event."

Gleason reportedly met with staff and bus drivers that same day.

Update: NTSB Investigates

New details on the accident emerged on Jan. 9, when the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report. 

The NTSB's early report revealed that the bus was a 2022 Blue Bird, owned and operated by Maine School Administrative District #6. At the time of the accident, it was stopped at a bus stop in the southbound lane of Route 35 in Standish. The crash occurred during daylight hours, and the roadway was partially wet.

At the bus stop, a 7-year-old student boarded the bus, NTSB said. A 5-year-old (Simon) was approaching the bus from the right rear. The doors to the bus began to close as he extended his left arm into the bus, pinning it between the doors. The bus began to drive south, and the student was dragged about 280 feet before he became dislodged from the door, fell to the roadway, and was fatally run over by the bus. The bus driver and the other student on board were uninjured.

This was at least the third student-dragging incident in Maine since 2022, according to a Freightwaves analysis.

Sensor technology is available from Mayser to prevent objects from being lodged in school bus doors and being pinched or dragged. The state of Maine recently worked with the company to trial the tech. 

The Standish accident is still under investigation.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published on Dec. 17, 2025, and updated Jan. 12, 2026, with new details on the child's death and NTSB investigation.