Camden Man Arrested in Rockland School Bus Death of 12-Year-Old

A former school bus driver involved in a deadly crash in Rockland is now facing a manslaughter charge.

Rockland Police say 65-year-old Jeffery Colburn of Camden was arrested Thursday in connection with the death of 12-year-old Brayden Callahan. Investigators say Brayden was run over by the school bus he had just exited near the intersection of Eliza Steele Drive and Broadway on Nov. 21, 2025. The boy later died from his injuries.

According to WGME 13, police also confirmed Colburn had been involved in other incidents while driving a school bus in recent years. A crash report from October 2025 states he struck a parked car. Another crash in 2022 also involved him hitting a parked vehicle, according to a separate report.

The news station reported that Colburn was previously convicted of operating under the influence in 2015. Records show his school bus operator endorsement was suspended for three years as a result. However, Maine law allows drivers to petition the Secretary of State to have the endorsement restored after one year. Colburn did petition, and the endorsement was reinstated.

The law, according to the news station, requires that the petition include a recommendation from the school superintendent for the endorsement to be restored. While the Secretary of State’s office said it had no record of that recommendation, the petition was approved and Colburn was permitted to drive a school bus again.

Police said Colburn is not suspected of being under the influence during the Nov. 21 crash.

Brayden Callahan’s family has since filed a $10 million lawsuit against the school district.