NYSP: Utica Man Struck Pedestrian, Charged with DWAI

A Utica man is charged with Driving While Ability Impaired and Vehicular Assault after striking a pedestrian on Route 8 in Columbus, according to New York State Police in Oneonta.

Troopers say Edward Burnett, 31, of Utica was the driver of the vehicle that hit the pedestrian - a 20-year-old man from South Carolina - at approximately 8:45 p.m. Friday. The victim was unconscious when authorities arrived, police said, and was last listed critical condition at St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

A release from State Police says Burnett ''displayed characteristics associated with impairment'', but the report did not indicate the results of a blood-alcohol test. Police say he was arrested on the DWAI charge and was driving with three passengers, including two children, ages 4 and 8, in his vehicle.

Burnett was sent to the Chenango County jail on $100,000 cash bail, police said.