PLUS, 2 UNDER 15 REPORTED IN CAR

Driver Assaulted

Victim With Car,

Troopers Report

COLUMBUS – Troopers from the Oneonta Barracks deployed at Unadilla Motorcross responded at 8:53 p.m. Friday to a report a pedestrian had been struck by a car on nearby Route 8.

They then arrested the driver, Edward D. Burnett, 31, of Utica, for vehicular assault in the second degree, and for DWI while two passengers in the car were under 15, according to a press release from Troop C.

At the scene, troopers found a 20-year-old male from Murrells Inlet, S.C., unconscious on the shoulder of  Route 8.  An off-duty Sidney Police Officer was on scene tending to the victim and troopers assisted with first aid until paramedics arrived.

The pedestrian was transported by ambulance to St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in critical condition.

An investigation by troopers at the scene revealed that Burnett displayed characteristics associated with impairment, the release.

Burnett had a 30-year-old female passenger and two children in the vehicle, ages 8 and 4.  Burnett was subsequently arrested and arraigned in Columbus Town Court where he was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond.