Clarence, NY (WBEN) An Akron woman is accused of being impaired by a drug when she caused a fatal crash in January. Jessica Novak is being charged with manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving.
Prosecutors say Novak, 37, was driving at a high-rate of speed while impaired by a drug on Main Street in Clarence on January 19th when she caused a crash involving several vehicles. Deputies say Novak's vehicle crossed into the turning lane and hit another vehicle that was turning left onto Goodrich Road. The driver of that vehicle, 65-year-old Jeanette Helms of Clarence, was fatally injured and died at the scene. The initial collision caused a chain reaction crash involving two other vehicles.
Novak was taken to ECMC for various injuries. The drivers of the other two vehicles suffered minor injuries.
Novak is scheduled to return for a felony hearing on Friday, April 9, 2021 for a felony hearing. She was held on $25,000 bail. At the request of the prosecutor, Justice Powers revoked the defendant Novak's driver's license.
If convicted of all charges, Novak faces a maximum of 15 years in prison





