Bus Driver Charged After Fatal Crash: Medical Crisis or Negligence?

Theresa McCloud, a 75-year-old school bus driver, was indicted on homicide charges following a fatal crash on November 18, 2025, in Auburn, Alabama. The collision resulted in the death of 42-year-old Jennifer Leigh Cooper, a local bakery owner and mother. Police stated McCloud was driving an Auburn City School bus when it struck Cooper's vehicle.

McCloud's family and supporters contend she experienced a severe medical episode, specifically a rapid drop in blood sugar, leading to confusion and unconsciousness. They assert this was unprecedented for her and confirmed by doctors. They stated McCloud turned herself in on September 4, 2026, to face legal proceedings.

Conversely, a civil lawsuit filed by Cooper's husband against McCloud and the school board alleges the driver suffered from diabetes and was prescribed opiates shortly before the crash. The lawsuit claims McCloud had warned supervisors she felt unwell and that the prescribed medication carried warnings against driving.

Attorneys for Cooper's estate expressed faith in the justice system to address the tragic incident. McCloud is currently being held in the Lee County Jail on a $12,000 bond.