Ithaca woman sentenced for role in 2023 fatal crash in Veteran

VETERAN, N.Y. (WETM) – An Ithaca woman has been sentenced to serve time in state prison for her role in the fatal crash that led to the death of a 25-year-old man from Millport in 2023. Juria S. Vanness, 44, was sentenced on Friday, April 17, to an indeterminate term of 2 ⅓ to 7 years in state prison, along with a fine of $1,000 and a surcharge and fees of $385, for the crime of vehicular manslaughter in the first degree, a class C felony, as stated in a release from the Chemung County District Attorney's Office. Vanness's sentencing stems from a fatal three-vehicle crash that occurred on Oct. 26, 2023, on Route 13 in the town of Veteran, killing 25-year-old Alexei G. Seymour. The DA states that at the time of the crash, Vanness was driving while impaired by the use of meth and while her license had previously been revoked after she had refused to submit to a chemical test. Vanness pleaded guilty to the crime on Feb. 20, 2026. Before Vanness's sentencing, the DA stated that the court had heard statements from Seymour's mother and two grandmothers, as well as a written statement from Seymour's girlfriend. Further, the DA noted that he had outlined Vanness's criminal history, which included the crimes of driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, promoting prison contraband in the second degree and a felony charge of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree. The DA also noted remarks given by Vanness's attorney, who acknowledged the devastation of the case, while also stating that Vanness had given up her right to trial by pleading guilty and accepting a seven-year prison sentence. Additionally, the DA noted that Vanness had spoken, stating that she should not have been driving at the time of the crash and that she apologized for her role. The full transcript from Vanness's sentencing can be found in the document below: