Sade Baderinwa Talks About Accident That Nearly Killed Her
NEW YORK -- For almost three years, Baltimore woke up to Sade Baderinwa reading the news on 11 News Today. She left Baltimore to pursue her dream, but quickly found herself in a nightmare.
WBAL-TV 11 News reporter Mindy Basara recently sat down with Sade at her New York City apartment to talk about the hit and run accident that nearly killed her and her challenging recovery.
"This particular night, it was a rainy night and we were covering flooding in Hackensack, N.J.," Sade said.
It was a night that changed her forever. Sade was standing by the side of the road, putting together a story for the 11 O'Clock News on WABC in New York -- a typical assignment for a television reporter. A hit-and-run driver turned that average assignment into a near-tragedy.
"I remember at the last second seeing this car come out of nowhere and hit me," Sade said. "And the driver just kept going. I flew ten feet into the air and landed in some water. I had one photographer who thought I was dead -- who saw me in the puddle of water. And the other photographer took off on foot after the driver."
The driver got away and Sade -- unconscious and seriously hurt -- was rushed to the hospital.
"I had a fracture of the arm. I had my knee completely rebuilt and I had some other injuries that I don't want to go into," Sade said. "It was a serious accident -- life-altering, I would say."
Sade said her recovery has been excruciating. She had to learn to walk again, and still struggles to use her left arm that is now held together by a metal rod.
"For months, I was unable to move. I was strapped with my arm and my leg. I was in extreme pain," she said. "Now I just have to get use of my arm again."
Sade spends hours each day in physical therapy and has been able to resume her role as 5 p.m. anchor. As for reporting, her body is just not up for it yet. She credited the overwhelming support of friends, family and viewers for helping her get past the pain. And despite her ordeal, her attitude is positive and forward-thinking.
"This has been a long ordeal, a long journey, and I am proud to say that I've gotten through this," Sade said. "In fact, I have closed this chapter and I'm just ready for new and better things."
The hit and run driver was never caught.
Our conversation with Sade continues Friday morning on 11 News Today. Sade talks about why she left Baltimore, her new life in New York and whether kids are in her future. Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and 11 News for the latest entertainment updates.
That hit and run is suspicious as hell.