Feb. 20--A Chicago Public Schools teacher faces misdemeanor charges that include driving under the influence after police say his vehicle struck two sisters as they walked to school earlier this week.
Police say Matthew Lucchini, 26, left the scene after the girls were hit in a crosswalk about 8 a.m. Tuesday in the 3400 block of North Austin Avenue. He was taken into custody "a short distance away" from the crash site, according to Officer Nicole Trainor, a police spokeswoman.
Lucchini has taught at Josephine Locke Elementary School in the Montclare neighborhood since 2013, according to the school's website.
Ava Oquendo, 7, was treated for lacerations at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, police said. Her sister Jazmine Oquendo, 14, suffered a minor ankle injury and also was treated at Lutheran General. Both girls were later released. Their mother told WGN-TV that if they feel well enough her children will return to school next week.
Lucchini attended Western Illinois University and earned a bachelor of science in physical education.
In August 2009, while he was a student, Lucchini was arrested in McDonough County and charged with driving under the influence, county officials said. He was later sentenced to one year of court supervision, officials said.
After Tuesday's incident, Lucchini, of the 2300 block of Remington Drive in Naperville, was charged with two counts of misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol, one count of misdemeanor leaving the scene, two counts of misdemeanor failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians in a crosswalk and one count of misdemeanor negligent driving.
CPS said in a statement that it "takes allegations of unlawful activity by its employees very seriously." A spokesman did not respond to additional questions.
bgurciullo@tribpub.com
