ROCKLAND — The driver of a school bus that struck and killed 12-year-old Brayden Callahan last November will never again be able to drive a commercial vehicle.
Jeffrey Colburn, 65, of Camden, appeared in the state court in Knox County on Tuesday afternoon and admitted to the civil violation of committing a traffic offense that resulted in death.
For that violation, his motor vehicle license was suspended for four years, he can never drive a commercial vehicle, and he must perform 180 hours of community service. He must perform at least 15 hours a month and provide monthly proof to the district attorney’s office.
The plea came after District Attorney Natasha Irving agreed to dismiss a manslaughter charge following an Aug. 3 judicial conference with the defense and Justice William Stokes. Irving said Stokes informed her he did not believe a jury would convict Colburn of the criminal offense.
Justice Patrick Larson, who presided over the sentencing Tuesday, said it is not his decision on whether the criminal charge was dismissed.
Colburn said nothing other than yes that he was admitting to the civil violation. The hearing lasted a few minutes.
Assistant District Attorney Mari Wells was at the sentencing hearing and said the child’s parents were at the judicial conference and Stokes spoke with them.
Irving said earlier this week, after hearing from the judge, the parents “did not want to continue on this painful path, they did not want blood, they did not want jail time for Jeffrey Colburn, but they wanted this to be over. They want Mr. Colburn to accept responsibility for causing the death of their son, which he is doing by admitting to the civil infraction causing death. They want children to be safe and for no other parent to have to suffer this same tragedy.”
According to an accident report filed by Rockland police, the student was in a marked crosswalk when Colburn accelerated. The accident report said it appeared from the onboard bus video that Colburn was leaning far to the right and did not keep his eyes on the road. Colburn told police he did not see Callahan. The video also showed the front crossing arm was no longer deployed.
Colburn is no longer employed by the district. The district has not said whether he was fired or resigned. That occurred before Dec. 3, 2025.
The boy’s parents filed a notice of claim Nov. 26, 2025, for $10 million against Regional School Unit 13 and Colburn. In Maine, a notice of claim must be filed before a lawsuit can be filed against a government entity. RSU 13 Superintendent John McDonald said Aug. 4 there has been no update on that matter.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.