9-year-old boy hit by suspected drunk driver in Haltom City

HALTOM CITY, Texas - The suspected drunken driver who crashed into a 9-year-old boy Monday night in Haltom City faces a charge of intoxication assault.

The incident happened just after 7:30 p.m. Monday at the White Creek Manufactured Housing Community on Bonanza Drive.

Police said 78-year-old Vernon McFatridge hit the boy, who was riding his bike. Witnesses said he tried to leave the scene, but people who ran to the scene were able to stop him.

"It was very heart-wrenching and it was hard not to cry and I was. I felt really bad for this little boy that it had to happen here," said Kara Lovett, who lives in the neighborhood.

The boy was rushed to Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth and was still listed in serious condition as of Tuesday evening.

Neighbors told FOX 4 speeding has been an issue on Huddleston Street.

McFatridge faces a charge of intoxication assault and was behind bars on Tuesday with a bond of $25,000.

A check of public records showed McFatridge has a forgery conviction in Texas and a record in Oklahoma that includes robbery, public intoxication, and a drug conviction.