ELMIRA, NY (607NewsNow) – An Ithaca woman responsible for a deadly Chemung County crash will spend time behind bars.
On April 17, Juria Vanness, 44, was sentenced to 2 and 1/3 to 7 years in prison on a first-degree charge of vehicular manslaughter.
Vanness previously admitted to being impaired by methamphetamine on October 26, 2023, when she caused an accident on Route 13 in the town of Veteran. State Police investigators said Vanness was traveling north when she crossed the centerline and, as she was merging back into her lane, hit a trailer being towed by a truck in front of her.
The collision caused the truck to enter the southbound lane, where it was struck by a Mack truck. Alexei Seymour, 25, of Millport, was pronounced dead at the scene. Vanness was airlifted to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, but no other drivers involved in the crash were injured.
Nearly 18 months after the accident, Vanness was indicted on two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter, felony aggravated unlicensed operator, felony DWAI by drugs, and misdemeanor drug possession. She was arrested on March 25, 2025, and pleaded not guilty.
According to FingerLakes1.com, Vanness ultimately waived her right to a trial and entered a guilty plea to the vehicular manslaughter charge on February 20, 2026.
Additionally, Vanness was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.
