Female Teenager Severely Injured After Being Hit by Car in New Hartford

A young teenage girl suffered serious injury following a car-pedestrian accident in the Town of New Hartford.

According to New Hartford Police, officers responded to the scene of a personal injury accident on Saturday morning around 11:30 a.m. The accident occurred on Commercial Drive between the mall and Market 32.

When officers arrived they located an 18-year-old female lying unconscious in the roadway. Medical first responders immediately began lifesaving efforts and aid on the scene. Emergency medical personnel included first responders from Edwards Ambulance Service, who began Advanced Life Support intervention en route to Wynn Hospital. While she is still being treated at Wynn Hospital, her injuries do not appear to be life threatening.

When it comes to the driver, a preliminary investigation by New Hartford Police indicates the female victim was walking in the designated southbound crosswalk when 58-year-old Nicholas Bandera of Oneida turned left out of Sangertown Square Mall into the westnound lane. In doing so, police say Bandera stuck the young woman in the crosswalk. In doing so, police say the victim rolled over the hood of the vehicle, over the top and airborne and ultimately fell to rest on the blacktop.

This accident is still under investigation, but police say tickets have already been issued. Bandera was issued a ticket for driving with a suspended license. As this investigation is ongoing, police say other charges may be possible. We hope that the young teenage victim will make a full recovery and no serious setbacks are suffered. Hats off to the first responders who acted quickly at the scene.