Ex-Huntley school bus driver's lawyer: Sudden stop unintentional

A former Huntley school bus driver accused of deliberately slamming on her vehicle's brakes to toss dozens of students from their seats formally pleaded not guilty Thursday to 38 criminal charges.

Julieta Clinton, 37, of Lake in the Hills asked for a jury trial on 19 counts of reckless conduct and 19 counts of endangering the life or health of a child stemming from the April 30 incident in the Leggee Elementary School parking lot.

Police said Clinton, of 9 Savoy Court, was angry over some students' behavior when she abruptly stopped the bus while arriving at school about 8:25 a.m. that day. The sudden stop left 19 of the 54 students aboard the bus with minor injuries, police said.

Huntley Unit District 158 officials, who fired Clinton shortly after, said it was the second time that morning Clinton slammed on the brakes when she became frustrated over unruly students.

But her attorney, Mark Gummerson, said Thursday Clinton disputes the police and school officials' account of the incident.

"They're trying to imply that this was something intentional," Gummerson said. "It was not intentional."

Clinton is scheduled to return to court July 17 for a pre-trial status hearing. The charges against her are misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.