A teenage driver has been indicted by a Cayuga County grand jury on felony charges related to the death of his passenger following a Sept. 2 crash into a tree.

Nicholas Raymond, 18, with a last known address of 6206 West Lake Road, Auburn, was indicted on felony charges of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident without reporting and the vehicle and traffic infractions of unlicensed operator, speed not reasonable and prudent and failure to keep right. Cayuga County District Attorney James Vargason announced the indictment in a news release Tuesday.

When he was originally arrested, the highest charge Raymond faced was leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident.

One of Raymond's passengers, Timothy Hutchings, 19, died following the accident in the front yard of 2850 Sand Beach Road, Fleming, in which Raymond, “an unlicensed operator, after having consumed beer, operated a 2002 GMC sport utility vehicle in a easterly direction going approximately 81 miles per hour on a curved portion of the roadway with a recommended posted speed of 40 miles per hour,” the indictment said.

Raymond had allegedly left an Auburn party to pick up Hutchings.

Raymond allegedly abandoned Hutchings in the vehicle without seeking medical help for the teenager, Vargason said. Raymond only had a provisional license that required adult supervision of his driving. Another 16-year-old passenger was not seriously hurt in the accident.

Raymond's attorney, Sal Piemonte, blasted Vargason, saying the district attorney ignored evidence that shows Hutchings' life could not have been saved.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's print edition of The Citizen.