Naperville teacher charged with DUI
A Naperville Central High School driver education instructor is due in court early next week to face drinking and driving charges.
Jeffrey S. Peterson, 54, of the 1300 block of East Gartner Road in Naperville, was arrested May 29 on charges of driving under the influence and theft of services, Police Sgt. Lou Cammiso said Friday.
Peterson and his girlfriend took a cab from Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant on Chicago Avenue in Naperville to their home, Cammiso said, and the pair got into a verbal dispute with the driver when they were unable to pay the $7.40 cab fare.
The couple attempted to pay with credit cards that didn’t work and also tried to pay by check, which the driver did not accept, Cammiso said.
Peterson then got into his car just after 11 p.m. while the cabdriver called police. When Peterson returned, police officers were on scene, and they determined Peterson was driving under the influence, Cammiso said.
“I don’t know why he left when he got home,” Cammiso said.
Peterson is listed as a driver education teacher on the Naperville Central website.
Susan Rice, a spokeswoman for Naperville District 203, wouldn’t say whether any disciplinary action has or will be taken against Peterson, who has worked for the district for 30 years as a physical education and driver education instructor.
“The district does not comment on personnel issues, including any disciplinary actions,” Rice said in an email. “While the reported incident took place after the school term, school and district administration were immediately made aware of the situation and an initial inquiry by the district has taken place.”
Rice said parents who have questions can contact Naperville Central Principal Bill Wiesbrook, or Bob Ross, the district’s assistant superintendent for secondary education.
Peterson has a court appearance scheduled Tuesday. He did not respond to a request for comment.
His girlfriend, Carla A. Mooney, 49, was arrested on charges of theft of services, obstructing identification and resisting or obstructing a police officer. She also is due in court Tuesday.