Lake Zurich man accused of pushing bus driver in front of school

A Lake Zurich man accused of pushing a school bus driver during an argument in front of Middle School South now is facing charges, officials said.

Lake Zurich police Chief Steve Husak said Joseph T. Little, 44, of the 300 block of Denberry Drive, has been charged with battery and is scheduled to appear in court May 22 in Waukegan.

Little was sitting in his car in a lane used by buses to pick up children after school around 3:30 p.m. May 10, Husak said.

When a bus driver asked him to move his car, Little moved it slightly, Husak said, but then a second bus driver approached him, which prompted an argument.

The argument escalated, Husak said, and culminated in Little pushing the bus driver, who fell backward through an open doorway into the stairway of the bus.

A school staff member called 911. The driver was taken to a hospital with injuries to his back and right arm; he was treated and released, Husak said.

Husak said police were in contact with the school, which released information to parents.