HORSEHEADS, NY (607NewsNow) – An Ithaca woman has been indicted by a Chemung County grand jury on charges related to a fatal accident.

On March 25, 41-year-old Juria Vanness was arrested and charged with four felonies and a misdemeanor related to the October 26, 2023, death of 25-year-old Millport man Alexei Seymour.

Vanness is accused of causing a three-vehicle accident on State Route 13 in the Town of Veteran when she attempted to pass Seymour on a double solid line. Seymour was driving a pickup truck and towing a trailer with lawnmower equipment.

State Police say Vanness struck the driver’s side of the trailer when she attempted to merge back into the northbound lane, which sent both vehicles into the other lane and into the path of a Mack truck. Seymour was pronounced dead at the scene, and Vanness was airlifted to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre.

Vanness pled not guilty and is reportedly scheduled to reappear in court on May 9.

Summary of Charges:

  • First-degree Vehicular Manslaughter: previous conviction within 10 years (felony)
  • First-degree Vehicular Manslaughter: license suspended/revoked (felony)
  • First-degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operator (felony)
  • Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs: prior conviction within 10 years (felony)
  • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (misdemeanor)