An update with news that the bus driver fell asleep before the crash was posted at 3:08 p.m. March 6

School bus driver in 2024 Minot crash charged with endangering children

AUBURN — A former Regional School Unit 16 school bus driver was arrested Wednesday, charged with 33 counts of endangering the welfare of children and reckless conduct and driving to endanger.

Angela Beasley, 45, of Auburn was arrested at her home Wednesday afternoon, a short time after she was indicted by an Androscoggin County grand jury.

The charges stem from an Oct. 22, 2024, bus crash in Minot, after which police said it was Beasley’s criminal negligence that resulted in the bus sliding off Shaw Hill Road, about a half-mile from the Minot Consolidated School.

At the time, there were 43 students on the bus, 16 of whom sustained injuries. The indictment, which accused Beasley of “violating the duty of care or protection” does not make clear why she was charged with 33 counts.

One woman close to the matter said Beasley has since been dismissed as a school bus driver.

On her Facebook page, Beasley lists herself as a school bus driver for a local school system and as a driver for a Gorham limousine and coach service.

The Minot crash was investigated by the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office.

Following her arrest, Beasley was taken to the Androscoggin County Jail in Auburn but was released on bail later Wednesday.