Kid Runs Into Road, Car Hits Kid, Dad Hits Driver: Police

NEW CITY, NY — A New City father is accused of attacking the driver of a car that struck his 4-year-old on Monday.

Clarkstown police were called to 38 Amundsen Lane at 4 p.m. They said according to their preliminary investigation, the driver of a car headed south on Amundsen saw a child run into the road and hit the boy while hitting the brakes. The driver, 22, got out of the car to check on the child who was lying next to it, at which point he was charged by the child's father.

Michael R. Budnick, 50, punched the driver several times while holding him by the throat against the hood of his car, police said.

Both the child and the driver were checked out by emergency medical responders. Police said the child's injuries were unknown, but he was conscious, alert and responding to officers at the scene. However, the driver sustained injuries that required him to be transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Budnick, 50, of West Nyack was charged with third-degree assault, a misdemeanor; criminal obstruction of breathing, a misdemeanor; and third-degree harassment, a violation. He was released on an appearance ticket and instructed to appear in Clarkstown Justice Court on Oct. 6.