School bus driver pleads not guilty to DUI

A man charged with being drunk while he was driving a school bus packed with students pleaded not guilty Friday in Lake County circuit court.

Juan Garcia, 52, is charged with felony driving under the influence of alcohol. He faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

Deerfield police said Garcia, of Skokie, was behind the wheel of a Deerfield-Highland Park High School District 113 bus carrying the Highland Park High School girls basketball team when he was arrested Nov. 18.

Police said Garcia had picked up the 19 student-athletes and their coaches at the school and was en route to a tournament in Elk Grove Village when a coach noticed the bus weaving in and out of traffic.

The coach ordered Garcia to pull over and told students to exit the bus. He then contacted the school athletic director.

Police were called to where the bus had stopped on the 200 block of Oakmont Drive in Deerfield and arrested Garcia.

Police said they also found alcohol hidden on the bus after Garcia was taken into custody.

Garcia posted $2,000 for bond and has been relieved of his bus driving duties for the district.

Lake County Associate Judge Brian Hughes scheduled a trial of the case for April 14 and ordered Garcia to appear in court April 3.