Alabama School Bus Driver Faces Homicide Charges After Deadly Crash as Supporters Blame Medical Emergency

An Alabama school bus driver has been indicted on homicide charges in connection with a fatal crash that killed a local business owner, while her family and supporters maintain that a sudden medical emergency may have caused the accident.

Theresa McCloud Indicted After Fatal School Bus Collision

Theresa McCloud, 75, was indicted by a grand jury in Lee County and arrested on September 3, 2026.

She faces charges of homicide by vehicle and criminally negligent homicide over a November 18, 2025, crash in Auburn, Alabama.

Authorities said McCloud was operating an Auburn City Schools bus shortly after 8 a.m. when the vehicle crashed into a passenger car near East University Drive.

The collision resulted in the death of Jennifer Leigh Cooper, 42.

Victim Identified as Local Mother and Bakery Owner

Jennifer Leigh Cooper was known in the Auburn community as a mother and the owner of Gigi’s Cupcakes, a local bakery.

Her death has led to a legal battle involving both the criminal case against McCloud and a separate civil lawsuit filed by Cooper’s family.

Cooper’s husband, Patrick Cooper, is pursuing the civil case against McCloud and the Auburn City Schools Board of Education.

McCloud’s Supporters Say She Suffered a Medical Emergency

Following McCloud’s arrest, her relatives and supporters disputed the circumstances surrounding the crash.

They claimed she experienced a sudden episode of extremely low blood sugar while driving the school bus.

A GoFundMe campaign that was later removed stated that McCloud’s blood glucose level allegedly dropped to 23 mg/dL, resulting in confusion and loss of consciousness.

According to the campaign, McCloud had never previously experienced a low-blood-sugar episode and her supporters characterized the incident as an unexpected medical emergency.

Her supporters also argued that she should have an opportunity to defend herself against the criminal allegations.

Fundraiser Removed Over Legal Defense Rules

The fundraising page was subsequently deleted.

GoFundMe confirmed that the campaign was removed because its policies prohibit fundraising efforts intended to cover the legal defense of someone accused of a violent crime.

The removal came as McCloud’s case moved forward through the criminal justice system.

Civil Lawsuit Raises Questions About McCloud’s Health

Separate allegations have been raised in a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of Cooper’s family.

According to the complaint obtained by AL.com, McCloud had diabetes and had also recently been prescribed opioid medication.

The lawsuit alleges that McCloud told Auburn City Schools supervisors that she was not feeling well enough to work on the day of the crash.

The complaint further claims that she had received the prescription medication two days before the accident after seeing a doctor.

Lawsuit Claims Medication May Have Affected Driving

Attorneys representing Cooper’s estate allege that the medication prescribed to McCloud carried a warning concerning driving while taking it.

The lawsuit claims McCloud was nevertheless instructed to transport elementary school students.

According to the complaint, she initially attempted to take the children to Auburn High School rather than their intended elementary school.

She later left the high school and continued toward the elementary school.

Details Surrounding the Crash

The civil complaint states that McCloud lost control of the school bus at approximately 8:04 a.m.

Cooper’s family’s attorneys allege that her inability to safely operate the bus may have been connected to her medical conditions, her use of opioid medication, or a combination of both.

The lawsuit also claims that previous diabetic episodes and medication use significantly affected McCloud’s ability to safely perform her responsibilities as a school bus driver.

These allegations are part of the civil lawsuit and have been disputed by McCloud’s family.

Family Disputes Allegations in Lawsuit

McCloud’s supporters have rejected key claims made in the civil complaint.

In the now-deleted fundraising campaign, they maintained that McCloud had never previously experienced an episode involving dangerously low blood sugar.

Her family characterized the incident as a medical crisis rather than an intentional or reckless act.

They also emphasized that their goal was to help McCloud obtain a fair opportunity to respond to the charges against her.

Cooper Family Trusts Legal Process

Attorneys representing Jennifer Cooper’s estate said the family recognizes the importance of McCloud’s arrest as the criminal case develops.

Royal Dumas, an attorney with Rushton, Stakely, Johnston & Garrett, said the family continues to place its confidence in the justice system.

The attorney also emphasized that no legal outcome can undo the loss suffered by Cooper’s family.

The family has asked the community to continue supporting them and to remember other parents who place their children on school buses each morning expecting the driver to be medically and physically capable of driving safely.

Theresa McCloud’s Age and Background

Name: Theresa McCloud
Age: 75
Location: Auburn, Alabama
Occupation at the time of crash: School bus driver for Auburn City Schools
Charges: Homicide by vehicle and criminally negligent homicide
Crash date: November 18, 2025
Arrest date: September 3, 2026
Bond: $12,000

Publicly available information in the case primarily concerns the fatal crash, McCloud’s medical condition and the allegations made in the related civil lawsuit. The available reports do not provide a broader personal biography of McCloud.

Jennifer Leigh Cooper’s Background

Jennifer Leigh Cooper, 42, was a mother and the owner of Gigi’s Cupcakes in the Auburn area.

She died after the passenger vehicle she was traveling in was struck by the school bus driven by McCloud.

Her husband, Patrick Cooper, is involved in the civil proceedings brought against McCloud and the Auburn City Schools Board of Education.

McCloud Remains in Jail

McCloud is currently being held at the Lee County Jail.

According to WRBL, her bond has been set at $12,000.

The criminal case remains ongoing, and the allegations against McCloud have not been resolved in court.

The competing accounts surrounding the crash — including the family’s claim of a sudden medical emergency and the allegations concerning diabetes and prescription medication — are expected to remain central issues as the legal proceedings continue.