Press-Republican

Local News

Related Photos

  • Morgin B. Baker (Photo Provided)

    morgin

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
December 29, 2009

Teen dies of injuries suffered in car crash

By STEPHEN BARTLETT and DAN HEATH

MOOERS — A Mooers teenager died Monday night of injuries suffered in a car accident earlier in the day.

Morgin B. Baker, 17, of North Star Road was driving north on Route 22 in the Town of Beekmantown at about 3:07 p.m. when she lost control on snow-covered roads and slid across the center line, New York State Police said Tuesday.

Her 2008 Pontiac G6 collided with a 2000 Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck driven by Barbara Ann Provost, 48, of West Chazy, who was headed south.

Baker suffered head trauma and an abdominal injury. She was transported to the Plattsburgh hospital by CVPH ambulance, but was pronounced dead at 8:30 p.m. while awaiting transport to Fletcher Allen Health Care, State Police said.



FAMILY INJURED

Her father, Rodney Baker, 45, and sister, Brittany Baker, 19, who were riding in the car, suffered minor injuries and were treated at CVPH and then released.

Provost was also transported to CVPH, where she was treated and released.

An autopsy performed Tuesday by Dr. Deonarayan Saha at CVPH determined Morgin’s cause of death to be blunt force trauma. Clinton County Coroner David Donah ruled her death accidental.



‘GREAT KID’

Morgin was a senior at Northeastern Clinton Central School, where she was a perennial honors student.

NCCS High School Principal Stephen Gratto heard about her death Tuesday morning and informed teachers through the phone tree.

“She was a great kid, and everybody liked her,” he said. “She was on the cheering squad.”

Sarah Hunter, who coached Morgin on the cheering squad, said the teen was an amazing person.

“She was an incredible cheerleader, and she was a great friend,” Hunter said as she choked back tears.

Morgin was a role model for the other members of the squad, she said.

“From the moment the season starts until it ends, she was 100 percent dedicated.”

Morgin was very intelligent and displayed a quick wit, Hunter said.

“She always came in with a smile. She was very popular with the other cheerleaders and the other students at the school.”



WORKED PART TIME

A memorial in the school lobby has flowers and places for students to write down their thoughts. Guidance counselors will be available for students when school is back in session next week.

Morgin was a nursing student at CV-TEC “and was very well regarded there,” Gratto said.

She also worked part time at Meadowbrook Nursing Home, where she helped take care of Gratto’s mother.

“She did a great job, and my mother thought she was wonderful,” Gratto said. “She had a good career as a nurse ahead of her.”



FATHER’S STRUGGLE

This is not the first trauma for the Baker family.

Back in September 2003, Mr. Baker underwent an operation in Boston for a brain aneurysm. He later suffered a paralyzing stroke, which caused disabilities that resulted in years of rehabilitation.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1418 in Champlain hosted a fundraiser to help the family with expenses related to Mr. Baker’s care.



— Contributing Writer Casey Ryan Vock added to this report.



Text Only | Photo Reprints
New Today
Local News

Recent Article Comments
Albany Round-up

Photo of the Day
Strange News
Videos: Editor Picks
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate' Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal $25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service