Police: Driver threw water bottle, injured 2-year-old boy

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — A Lincolnton family is angered and confused after someone attacked their 2-year-old son that left his face cut and badly bruised.

Authorities want to know who was behind the act of vandalism that turned violent.

“He has bruising here across his face and on his arm,” said Mike Hudson, the father of Sam Hudson.

Mike Hudson said the incident has angered him.

“He hasn't rested well in the last two nights, tossing, turning, lots of Tylenol – turning -- he still hurts,” Mike Hudson said.

The father said they were walking along the 2700 block of Coral Drive when a car approached them and he said the car started to slow down and he thought it was out of courtesy.

But soon that person threw a half-full water bottle out of the car striking his son in the face.

“It hit him pretty good -- the force the guy was going 30 to 35 mph when he threw the bottle,” he said.

The family rushed the boy to the hospital but not before picking up the bottle.

Sheriff David Carpenter, Lincoln County

“We are attempting to get DNA off the bottle and any fingerprints that can be obtained from the bottle,” Lincoln County Sheriff David Carpenter said.

Investigators said the act of violence is likely a misdemeanor.

Still, the family wants the person caught and their peace of mind back.

Mike Hudson says the driver was a white man in his 20s in a late model silver Chevrolet Malibu.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office at 704-732-9050, the Lincoln County Communications Center at 704-735-8202 or Crime Stoppers at 704-736-8909.

If your Crime Stoppers tip leads to an arrest you could receive a reward of up to $1,000.

Sign up for breaking news alerts, click here.

WSOC