Elderly bus driver charged for crash that killed Gigi’s cupcakes owner

An elderly bus driver for Auburn city schools has been criminally charged for the fatal crash that killed the owner of Gigi’s Cupcakes. Jennifer Cooper was pronounced dead on the scene of the November 18, 2025, traffic crash involving her vehicle and an Auburn school bus. Cooper owned the popular bakery with locations in Columbus and Opelika.

Following an investigation by the Auburn Police Department Traffic Homicide Unit, the driver of the school bus, Theresa McCloud, age 75, was indicted by a Lee County Grand Jury on charges of homicide by vehicle and criminally negligent homicide.

On Sept. 3, 2026, McCloud was arrested on the indictments and was transported to the Lee County Jail where she is being held on a $12,000 bond. There is also a civil lawsuit pending against Auburn City Schools and the bus driver for the fatal collision. The incident occurred near the 1000 block of East University Drive at 8:00 in the morning as Cooper was headed to work.

Gigi’s Cupcakes announced the closing of their Columbus location six months after the crash that killed the 42-year-old mother of two. The Opelika bakery remains open for business. Jennifer’s husband Patrick Cooper wrote at the time of her death “There are no words that even begin to describe the pain that I feel at this moment. The only peace and comfort I can find is in knowing that she’s Home now, safe in the arms of Jesus. And I know, that because He Lives I can face tomorrow.”