Sidney girl struck by alleged drunk driver

Posted: Feb 16, 2023 / 11:19 AM EST

Updated: Feb 16, 2023 / 05:35 PM EST

SIDNEY, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – Yesterday, a Sidney student was struck by an alleged drunk driver while walking home from school.

At around 2:48 p.m., Sidney Police Department officers responded to Sharon Street where they found a 14-year-old female unconscious laying in the road.

The female appeared to have sustained serious injuries. Sidney EMS was on the scene and was able to stabilize the victim and transport her to UHS Wilson Medical Center.

She was later transferred to SUNY Upstate University Hospital where she remains in critical condition.

An investigation revealed that the girl was walking home from school when she was struck by a vehicle.

The vehicle and its driver left the scene before returning a short time later.

The driver was 31-year-old Courtni Baker, of Sidney. Police determined that she was intoxicated at the time of the crash.

She was taken into custody and transported to the Sidney Police station.

While at the station, police say that she attempted to escape the facility but was quickly detained.

Police Chief Eric Oliver says the crash has hit the close-knit community hard.

“This has had a huge impact on our community. As you know, it’s small. Everyone here pretty much had some kind of contact with this young lady. It’s just huge, it’s impacted everyone. It’s horrible.”

Sidney Superintendent Eben Bullock tells NewsChannel 34 that the school is offering counseling to students and that numerous cards and posters of support have been created for her family.

He says a prayer was held at mid court yesterday following the girls basketball game between
Sidney and Oxford.

The victim is an accomplished basketball player.

Baker has been charged with the following: