Arrest in Binghamton Hit-and-Run That Injured 4-Year-Old Child

A Binghamton woman faces a felony charge after she allegedly struck a young child and drove away.

Authorities late Wednesday announced an arrest had been made in connection with the hit-and-run investigation into the incident that occurred on the city's South Side.

A 4-year-old child was struck by a sport utility vehicle on Pennsylvania Avenue around 4:45 p.m. Friday.

The injured child, who initially was unconscious, was taken to Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City before being transferred to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse.

Witnesses told police officers the child ran into Pennsylvania Avenue and was hit by a southbound light-colored SUV. The vehicle did not stop and continued heading south on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Investigators used automated license plate recognition software to located a possible suspect vehicle matching the description provided by witnesses.

Detectives located the SUV that is believed to have struck the child at a home on Progy Road in the town of Binghamton.

Police said 83-year-old Mary J. Kostyshak, the owner of the vehicle, admitted she had driven the SUV but was unaware that she had hit anyone.

On Monday, Kostyshak was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury, a felony.

Authorities said the child remains hospitalized in Syracuse in stable condition.

People with information about the hit-and-run incident may contact the Binghamton police detective bureau at (607) 772-7080.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.