On the evening of September 29, 2025, a serious collision in Waldorf sent shockwaves through the Southern Maryland community when a passenger car slammed into a school bus carrying the Westlake High School junior varsity football team. The crash, which occurred around 8:12 p.m. in the 3700 block of Leonardtown Road, resulted in injuries, a disabled bus, and the arrest of the car’s driver on multiple charges, including driving under the influence (DUI).
The collision involved a Camaro driven by David Wayne Coffren, a 32-year-old Waldorf resident, who was traveling southbound on Leonardtown Road. According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Coffren’s vehicle struck the rear of a school bus transporting 28 passengers, including players, coaches, and staff from Westlake High School. The team was returning from a game at Thomas Stone High School, a familiar route for many local student-athletes. The impact disabled both the Camaro and the school bus, halting traffic and prompting an immediate response from fire and emergency medical services (EMS).
First responders arrived promptly to assess and treat those involved. Of the 28 individuals on the bus, two students sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata for medical attention. Details about the specific nature of their injuries were not disclosed, but officials confirmed that no one on the bus faced life-threatening conditions. The quick response by EMS ensured that all passengers received care, and the scene was secured for investigation.
A preliminary investigation by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office revealed troubling details about the crash. Officers noted that Coffren exhibited clear signs of impairment, leading to his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Further compounding the severity of the incident, investigators discovered that Coffren was transporting a 7-year-old child in the Camaro at the time of the crash. The child, who was unharmed, was not properly restrained in a booster seat, a violation of Maryland law, which mandates appropriate child safety seats for children under 8 years old unless they meet specific height and weight requirements.
Coffren now faces a litany of charges stemming from the incident. These include driving while impaired, driving while impaired with a minor, reckless driving, speeding, failure to restrain a child in a car seat, and additional traffic citations. The presence of a minor in the vehicle significantly escalates the legal consequences, as Maryland law imposes stricter penalties for DUI offenses involving children under 16. Following his arrest, Coffren was taken into custody, and the 7-year-old was released to a family member.
The investigation, led by PFC Stine of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, is ongoing to determine additional details about the crash. Authorities have not released specific information about Coffren’s blood alcohol content or other factors that may have contributed to the collision, such as road conditions or the exact speed of the Camaro.
Maryland’s legal framework for DUI offenses is stringent. A first-time DUI conviction can result in up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, and a license suspension of up to six months. When a minor is present, penalties increase significantly, with potential fines up to $2,000 and jail time up to two years for a first offense. The failure to use a child safety seat adds further legal repercussions, as Maryland law requires children under 8 to be secured in an appropriate restraint unless they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. Coffren’s reckless driving and speeding charges also point to broader issues of road safety, as excessive speed is a leading cause of collisions in Charles County.
As the investigation continues, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with additional information about the crash to come forward. PFC Stine can be contacted through the sheriff’s office for tips or witness accounts.
