A Suffolk County grand jury on Wednesday handed up three indictments against a former Boston school bus driver in connection with the April 28, 2025 death of 5-year-old Lens Arthur Joseph in Hyde Park. The case, which authorities say began when the kindergartner was struck after being dropped off near his home, has already set off city and state reviews of school-bus safety and sharpened questions about the private contractor that runs Boston’s routes.
Charges Returned By Grand Jury
As reported by Boston 25 News, grand jurors indicted Jean Charles, 39, of Brockton, on three counts: involuntary manslaughter, reckless motor vehicular homicide and negligent motor vehicle homicide. Prosecutors told the station that Charles is expected to be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court later this month.
How Prosecutors Say The Crash Happened
According to prosecutors and local reporting, the school bus had just let Lens and his older cousin off on Washington Street in Hyde Park when Lens was hit while crossing in front of the vehicle. The Boston Globe reported that Charles had been involved in earlier incidents and was driving with an expired state-required certificate at the time of the crash.
What Grand Jurors Were Shown
Investigators told the grand jury they reviewed footage from the bus’s on-board camera and took testimony from eyewitnesses before returning the indictments. “The grand jurors gave full deliberation to the evidence,” Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said, according to Boston 25 News.
Family Lawsuit And City Response
Lens’s family later filed a civil lawsuit in Suffolk Superior Court against Transdev, the company that operates the city’s buses, as well as against Charles, alleging negligence in hiring, training and safety procedures, according to The Boston Globe. City officials have also ordered an outside review of Boston Public Schools’ transportation practices and say they are working with investigators to strengthen oversight of the contractor.
What Comes Next
Charles is scheduled to appear for arraignment, after which the criminal case will move through the trial courts. If he is convicted, the charges carry potential prison time under Massachusetts law. For reference, the penalties for motor vehicle homicide are outlined in M.G.L. c. 90 §24G, and an overview of involuntary manslaughter and motor vehicle homicide in Massachusetts is available at FindLaw.
This is a developing story, and more details are expected as additional court documents and official statements are filed.
