Woman charged and released after 1-year-old killed in Yates County hit and run

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A 26-year-old woman from Penn Yan has been arrested and faces felony charges now after a one-year-old was killed in a hit and run in the Town of Benton Thursday evening.

The crash happened on State Route 364 around 4:30 p.m. The child was hit by a vehicle heading west. Deputies said the driver, who’ve they since identified as Sarah E. Olsen, continued on afterward without stopping or calling for help.

She was charged with leaving the scene of an incident without reporting that results in death, a Class D Felony, and criminally negligent homicide, a Class E Felony.

Deputies said Olsen was arraigned and released on her own recognizance. As the investigation continues, deputies continue asking for tips. Folks with information can call 315-536-4438.

State Route 364 is a high traffic, high speed stretch that whisks people in and out of Penn Yan.

Farmland on both sides for miles.

On many of those farms – Mennonite families that travel on this road, but not by car – either walking, biking or using horse and buggy.

“Based on the typical road speed in that area and the circumstances of the accident, that the person would know they hit something there yes,” said Francis Ryan with the Yates County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said she was driving a dark colored GMC SUV, perhaps an Acadia.

The boy’s uncle talked to News 8 off camera Friday, saying the boy, who could walk, wandered off while his father was working. He also asked people to slow down on this stretch as it’s something like this he’s always feared. The sheriff echoed that message, expanding to all roads where Mennonites can be found on the side of the road.

“This is a very busy area in the summertime and the fall with traffic coming in to stay at the many bed and breakfasts and visit the lake and the properties around here…so it is very important that people use caution on our roads,” Ryan said.

CPS has been called in to take part in this investigation.

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