Ill. school bus driver accused of braking hard; 19 hurt

HUNTLEY, Ill.—A school bus driver has been charged with child endangerment for slamming on the brakes because she was angry at kids on her bus, tossing children from their seats and injuring 19, police said.

One child was sent to a hospital and paramedics treated the others at the scene Wednesday, authorities said. The children, ages 5 to 10, complained of bumped heads and neck pain.

Police charged Julieta Clinton, 37, with 19 counts of reckless conduct and 19 counts of child endangerment, both misdemeanors. She was released on $100 bond and assigned a May 22 court date. Clinton's telephone number was unlisted.

"Apparently the bus driver got frustrated with the kids," said District 158 Superintendent John Burkey. "She definitely stopped inappropriately and way too abruptly."

Clinton was traveling at less than 10 mph when she slammed on the brakes twice, Burkey said. Clinton, who had been with the district for a few months and had a clean record, will no longer drive a bus for the district, Burkey said.

Huntley is about 50 miles northwest of Chicago.