April 17, 2002, 10:04PM

Driver allegedly hit boy on purpose
By PEGGY O'HARE  Houston Chronicle

A 68-year-old motorist was in custody Wednesday night after police said 
he deliberately hit a 10-year-old boy who had apparently thrown trash in 
his yard in southeast Houston. 

The boy, whose identity was not immediately released, suffered a head 
injury and was in serious condition at Memorial Hermann Hospital on 
Wednesday night, police said. 

The man was being questioned and a felony charge of aggravated assault of 
serious bodily injury with a motor vehicle was pending, said police officer 
Tony Fincher. 

The man apparently became angry because the boy and two other 
youngsters on bicycles were throwing trash in his yard in the Sunnyside 
addition near the South Loop and South Freeway, police said. 

The man got into his car and drove toward the cyclists, hitting the 10-
year-old on DuBois near Brandon about 4:30 p.m., police said. The impact 
threw the boy on top of the car's hood and he was carried about 60 feet 
before he rolled into a ditch, Fincher said. 

Initial investigation shows the driver's actions were intentional, police 
said. "Witnesses stated they observed him accelerate," Fincher said, "and 
we have physical evidence showing no braking skid marks." 

The man ran over the bike and didn't stop until his car careened into a 
field, police said. 

The other two boys fled when their companion was hit, Fincher said. 
Police did not know their identities or whereabouts Wednesday night. 

The two boys' parents, if they learn of this incident, are asked to call the 
Houston Police Department Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.