On Thursday afternoon, a Chenango County grand jury indictment was unsealed charging Wyatt J. Gould with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, driving under the influence and other crimes. The indictment alleges that on New Year's Day, Gould was using marijuana and had stayed up all night before the accident occurred. (Photo from Norwich PD)

NORWICH – On the morning of New Year’s Day, a sleep deprived driver under the influence of marijuana blacked out and veered onto a sidewalk killing 68-year-old James C. Wright, according to authorities.

Prosecutors allege the driver was using marijuana and had stayed up all night, having not slept for 23 hours before the accident occurred.

“This is an extremely sad situation with extraordinary loss on all sides,” said Norwich Police Chief Reuben J. Roach.

On Thursday afternoon, a Chenango County grand jury indictment was unsealed and charged the driver, 20-year-old Wyatt J. Gould, of Plymouth, with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, driving under the influence and other crimes. Gould pleaded not guilty to all charges.

He was then released without bail.

Asked why Gould was released without any bail, Roach said it was a decision made in court, and he had no comment.

Chenango County District Attorney Michael Ferrarese said the driver is cooperating with investigators and had consented to having his blood tested.