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Former Boston School Bus Driver Accused of Running over and Killing 5-Year-Old Free on $15,000 Bail
Jean Charles was indicted for involuntary manslaughter after failing to ensure a 5-year-old crossed safely, amid allegations of lapsed certification and contractor negligence.
- On Thursday, former Boston Public Schools bus driver Jean Charles, 39, was arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on involuntary manslaughter charges in the April 2025 death of 5-year-old Lens Arthur Joseph and held on $15,000 bail.
- Prosecutors allege Charles failed to conduct mandatory pre-trip inspections that would have revealed a broken safety crossing arm and flat tire, while his school bus certification had expired in December 2024.
- Video evidence shows Charles failed to check mirrors or verify Lens's safety before accelerating, Assistant District Attorney Ursula Knight stated, while a witness reported the driver acting "belligerent and annoyed at the children on the bus."
- Defense attorney Kenneth Anderson described the death as a "tragic accident," while Lens' family expressed relief the criminal process is proceeding; Charles returns to court on May 11.
- The Joseph family continues to pursue a civil lawsuit against Transdev, alleging negligence in driver hiring and oversight, while a city-commissioned audit concluded the contractor and Boston Public Schools failed to maintain proper operational management.
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School bus driver in Boston accused of skipping inspection before fatal crash
The driver of a Boston school bus that struck and killed a 5-year-old boy in Hyde Park last April was ordered held on $15,000 bail on Thursday, as prosecutors accused him of not properly inspecting the bus before that day’s route.
·Springfield, United States
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Driver in crash that killed 5-year-old did not inspect Boston school bus properly, prosecutor says
At his arraignment Thursday, prosecutors argued 39-year-old Jean Charles did not follow safety and equipment protocols the day his bus struck and killed a 5-year-old Boston Public Schools student nearly a year ago.
·Boston, United States
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Ex-BPS bus driver arraigned on charges related to death of 5-year-old boy
Former BPS bus driver Jean Charles pleaded not guilty to negligent and reckless motor vehicle homicide and manslaughter related to an accident that killed 5-year-old Up Academy kindergartener Lens Joseph last April.
·Boston, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 22%
C 67%
11%
Factuality
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