Kingston, NY—The Ulster County District Attorney’s Office announced the indictment and arrest of Vanessa Lowe, age 62, of Kingston, NY. An Ulster County Grand Jury indicted Lowe on charges of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, and Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs in connection with a fatal bicyclist accident which resulted in the death of 65-year-old Kingston resident Christine Tarasco on December 27, 2022.

A warrant of arrest was issued by the Ulster County Court on April 3, 2025. Kingston Police Department arrested Lowe the same day.

The indictment is in connection to a vehicular accident on December 27, 2022 at 3:37 p.m., on Pine Grove Avenue in the City of Kingston. Lowe struck bicyclist Christine Tarasco with her 2008 Honda Accord. EMS was able to revive Tarasco and transported her to HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston where she died from her injuries.

An investigation was subsequently conducted by the Kingston Police Department and the Ulster County DA’s Office. Toxicology reports of Lowe’s blood revealed controlled substances in her system at the time of the accident.

Lowe was arraigned on April 4, 2025, before the Honorable James Farrell; she was remanded to the Ulster County Jail on $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, and $500,000 partially secured bond. 

Assistant District Attorney Victoria Lang is prosecuting the case. Defendant is represented by Office of the Ulster County Public Defender.

The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. 

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MESSAGE FROM DA: Please do not drive if you have been drinking or if you are taking any controlled substances, whether legal or not. Our lives depend on you.