ROCKLAND, Maine — The driver of the Regional School Unit 13 bus that struck and killed 12-year-old Brayden Callahan had a prior operating under the influence conviction and was involved in a crash last month.
Rockland police say, however, there is no indication that Jeffrey E. Colburn, 65, of Camden was under the influence when he struck the child on Friday on Broadway at the intersection of Eliza Steele Drive.
A blood alcohol test was taken as is required in fatal crashes involving school buses.
Colburn was convicted in August 2015 for OUI resulting from a June 6, 2015, traffic stop by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office in Thomaston. He was fined $500 and had his driver’s license suspended for 150 days.
Colburn began working for RSU 13 in August 2016, according to the district’s website.
His driving record also shows a vehicle crash in Thomaston on Oct. 9, 2025, according to the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles. In that crash, he was driving a school bus and struck a car, totaling the vehicle. The Midcoast Villager has requested details of that crash from Thomaston Police. Chief Eric Quatrano said he will check to see if he can release the information, saying it is now part of the overall investigation into the Nov. 21 fatality.
Parents on Eliza Steele Drive said complaints have been made to the school about Colburn’s driving.
RSU 13 Superintendent John McDonald said he is prohibited from commenting about complaints made against employees because of state law that makes personnel records of school employees confidential.
The bus had an arm that goes out in the front so students will pass further from the front of the bus to be visible to the driver. There is no information on whether that arm had been extended before the fatal crash.
Rockland Police Chief Tim Carroll said he does not expect it will be long before the department will meet with the district attorney to go over all the information gathered. The district attorney will then determine whether there is cause to file criminal charges.
In Maine, there is a criminal charge of manslaughter, which is defined as “Recklessly, or with criminal negligence, causes the death of another human being.” “Recklessly” is defined as when a person “consciously disregards a risk that their conduct will cause the death of another human being, and that this disregard is a gross deviation from the standard of care that a reasonable person would observe. Recklessly is a higher level of culpability than criminal negligence, which involves “failing to perceive a risk that a reasonable person would have perceived.”
There is also a civil offense in Maine called “committing a motor vehicle violation resulting in death.” The charge is a civil violation that carries no jail term but can result in loss of a motor vehicle license for up to four years, a fine of up to $5,000, and a community service work requirement.
Colburn is on administrative leave.
A Facebook message was sent Monday morning to Colburn, asking for comment.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.
