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May 7, 2008 2:06 pm US/Eastern
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N.H. Boy Hit By Alleged Drunk Driver
MANCHESTER, N.H. (WBZ) ―
An accused drunk driver who's charged with running down a boy moments after he got off a school bus was ordered held on $50,000 bail Wednesday.
Bruce Johnson, 65, of Manchester, was driving his Buick on Union Street around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday when police say he drifted off the road and hit 11-year-old Liam Quinn Burbank as he walked on the grass next to the road.
Burbank told police that he had taken just five steps when he was hit from behind and thrown 15 feet. He said that he did not see the car coming, and he believed that Johnson was trying to swerve to avoid hitting the bus.
The boy was rushed to Elliot Hospital with a broken back. He was later transferred to the Floating Hospital for Children in Boston. According to Burbank's family, he will need to undergo surgery in a few days.
Johnson, who has no criminal record, was arrested at the scene and charged with driving drunk. According to the police report, he allegedly told officers he had four beers and must have passed out at the wheel.
Johnson's family said they are sorry about what happened. He faces up to seven years in prison, if convicted.
Meanwhile, the Burbank family released this statement: "We want to thank our friends and family for their prayers and concern for our son, Liam Quinn Burbank… We appreciate the support… We invite Quinn's friends to send cards and expressions of support to Floating Hospital."
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