Former Boston School Bus Driver Charged With Fatally Running Over 5-Year-Old Student

BOSTON, MA — A former Boston school bus driver was charged with running over and killing a 5-year-old he had just dropped off.

Jean Charles, 39, was indicted by a Suffolk grand jury on charges of involuntary manslaughter, reckless motor vehicular homicide and negligent motor vehicle homicide in connection with the April 2025 death of 5-year-old Lens Arthur Joseph in Hyde Park.

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"Charles was responsible for driving Lens, a kindergartner at Up Academy in Dorchester, and Lens’s older cousin home from school," according to a media release from the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.

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"On April 28, Charles missed the proper bus stop for the two children, which would have dropped them on the same side of the street as their home," the release said. "As Lens made his way in front of the bus on Washington Street, Charles failed to perform the necessary safety protocols required of him to assure that Lens crossed safely to his home. Waiting only a few seconds, and without accounting for Lens’s whereabouts, Charles drove away and immediately ran over the child, causing his death."

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In the release, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said the evidence against Charles included surveillance footage and eyewitness testimony.

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"The grand jurors gave full deliberation to the evidence presented to them and determined that Jean Charles must answer for the tragic death of Lens Joseph,” Hayden said.

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