Huntley bus driver arrested after braking hard, injuring 19 kids

A bus driver was arrested Wednesday after she abruptly stopped her bus, injuring about 19 Leggee Elementary School students on board, police said.

Police said Julieta Clinton, 37, of 9 Savoy Court in Lake in the Hills, was angry with some students when she suddenly braked in the Huntley school's parking lot, throwing several students from their seats.

Of the 54 students who were on the bus, 18 were treated on the scene for minor injuries and one was taken to Provena St. Joseph Hospital, police said.

Emergency personnel checked out all 54 students as a precaution, Huntley Unit District 158 Superintendent John Burkey said.

Burkey said none of the injuries were serious.

Clinton was charged with 19 counts of reckless conduct and 19 counts of child endangerment, police said. Both are misdemeanors.

Clinton was released after posting bond and assigned a May 22 court date.

Burkey said Clinton will no longer be driving a bus in the district but would not comment on her employment status.

"We will never put somebody behind the wheel that we have concerns about," Burkey said.

The superintendent said there have been no previous incidents involving Clinton in District 158.

The students who ride the bus Clinton was driving will have another driver for the rest of the school year.

Burkey said Clinton was upset with students who were not in their seats when she stopped the bus around 8:25 a.m.

Clinton had stopped suddenly about 20 minutes earlier on Wednesday while driving students to school, police said.

No one was injured in the earlier incident.

Clinton was arrested in the district transportation office around 1:30 p.m., and the students on her bus went home with a different driver.

The students' parents were notified and given the option of picking up their children, Burkey said, adding that most of the kids stayed.

A letter was sent home to parents about the incident, police said.