VETERAN — New York State Police have arrested an Ithaca woman following a grand jury indictment related to a fatal multi-vehicle accident that occurred in October 2023.
Juria S. Vanness, 41, faces multiple felony charges including vehicular manslaughter stemming from the crash that killed 25-year-old Alexei G. Seymour of Millport.
The accident occurred on October 26, 2023, at approximately 7:29 a.m. on State Route 13 near Parrott Road in the town of Veteran.
According to police, Vanness was driving a 2016 Ford Fusion northbound when she crossed the double solid centerline into the southbound lane.
As she attempted to merge back into the northbound lane, her vehicle struck the driver’s side of a trailer being towed by Seymour’s 2019 Chevy Silverado.
Both vehicles then entered the southbound lane into the path of a 2018 Freightliner.
The impact caused a lawnmower to be thrown from Seymour’s trailer into the path of a 2021 Mack truck, which subsequently struck it.
Seymour was pronounced dead at the scene.
Vanness sustained minor injuries but was airlifted by Life Flight to Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania.
On February 27, a Chemung County Grand Jury indicted Vanness on multiple charges including two counts of Vehicular Manslaughter in the 1st degree, both Class C felonies.
Additional charges include Aggravated Unlicensed Operator 1st degree, Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs with a prior conviction within 10 years, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree.
A Superior Court Warrant for Vanness’s arrest was issued on March 14, signed by Judge Ottavio Campanella.
Vanness was processed at SP Horseheads on March 25 and transported to Chemung County Jail.
