Man Chases And Runs Over Child Riding ATV

Shackled and on his way to court in Lincolnton, Joseph Beatty apologized to the little boy police say he ran over with his car. That's not enough for the boy's mother. WSOC-TV Boy Hit By Driver Joseph Beatty apologized to the little boy, but the boy's mother says that's not enough.

Tanya Adkins hasn't left her son's bedside at Carolinas Medical Center all weekend.

"I think it's a little too late for an apology," said Adkins.

Chance Dunkin is normally an outgoing 8-year-old, but was too tired to talk on Monday. He told his mother Friday afternoon he was riding his dirt bike in a field near his home in Vale when Beatty pulled up in a car and started chasing him along a trail.

"He was trying to get away and he kept screaming at the guy to stop and he wouldn't let him out of the field," said Adkins.

Dunkin said that's when Beatty ran over him, breaking his leg and sending him to the hospital.

People nearby heard the crash. Investigators said Beatty kept driving and when he stopped, he jumped out of the wrecked car and ran.

They said when they found him about a half hour later, he was legally drunk and said the boy cut out in front of him. VIDEO: Beatty Apologized For Running Over The Child

Adkins found her son trying to crawl to get help.

"I'm not the type of person to carry a grudge, but sometimes you know..." she said.

Adkins said Chance has metal rods holding his left leg together.

The leg will heal, but she's worried the nightmares may not go away.