Man charged in fatal Colchester crash released without bail; what victims' families are saying

The man accused of causing a deadly crash in Colchester that killed a Northern New York couple was arraigned in court Thursday. Mark Pomerantz faces multiple charges, including two counts of grossly negligent operation with death resulting, after the crash on Jan. 26. Police said Pomerantz was driving north near the intersection of Coon Hill Road and Roosevelt Highway when his car crossed over the southbound lane and hit the car Kendall Lemay, 38, had been driving. Lemay's family said she and her partner, 41-year-old Jacob Rivers, were on a family trip in Vermont. "They were here in Vermont on a family outing that turned devastating," Larry Hartson, Lemay's father, said. Lemay and Rivers both died in the crash. Lemay's 14-year-old daughter was also in the car, but survived with serious injuries. "My granddaughter, at 14, has lost her mom and a man that she absolutely adored," said Rebecca Hart, Lemay's mother. "So, it's just really hard for us to swallow."On Thursday, Pomerantz's lawyer pointed to several factors, including his ties to the community, that he is a homeowner and longtime employee, which the judge said he considered when deciding whether to set bail as a condition of his release. "The court does not believe that a bail or bond is appropriate in this case. So the court's not going to impose that," said Honorable Timothy Doherty. Lemay and River's families said it was a disappointing and difficult decision to grapple with. "This young man was able to walk away and also continue to drive and our children are no longer here to be able to live their lives and bring up their children," Cheryl Rivers said. A judge ordered Pomerantz to next appear in court on May 19. For now, as they prepare to face a long legal battle, these families said their focus is set on seeking justice for their loved ones. "To have some sort of justice for them and again, going back, some satisfaction for us as the family members," Harston said.