Sheriff: 26-year-old Penn Yan charged after fatal hit-and-run in Benton

A tragic hit-and-run crash in the city of Benton left a one-year-old child dead and a 26-year-old woman now facing felony charges. The incident occurred Thursday night around 4:30 p.m. on State Route 364 when the child was struck by a westbound vehicle. Authorities say the driver continued driving without stopping or calling for help.

Officers identified the driver as Sarah E. Olsen of Penn Yan, who was charged with leaving the scene resulting in a fatal accident and negligent homicide. Olsen was charged and released on bail pending an investigation. Officers are asking anyone with information to call 315-536-4438.

The area is a heavily traveled stretch of farmland where Mennonite families often travel on foot, by bicycle or by horse-drawn carriage. The boy's uncle said the boy ran away while his father was working, and he appealed to drivers to slow down. Sheriff's officials repeated the appeal for caution on streets frequented by pedestrians.