PLATTSBURGH — A Morrisonville man will return to court next week to face charges for a fatal crash that claimed the lives of two longtime local residents.

Aaron Trombley appeared in Plattsburgh Town Court for the first time Thursday afternoon in connection with the Oct. 16 crash that killed Ronald L. Lee, 69, of West Chazy and Robert J. Wood, 44, of Altona.

The two men were riding in Herbert O. Therrian's car on Military Turnpike when Trombley, who was allegedly under the influence of drugs, veered into their lane and slammed into their vehicle.

Trombley, 32, and Therrian, 56, of Altona were injured but have since recovered.

About two weeks after the crash, Trombley was charged with reckless driving and operating a motor vehicle with ability impaired by drugs.

He was also issued tickets for failing to keep right, operating a motor vehicle with improper plates, operating an unregistered vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without insurance and failing to surrender registration plates.

This week, Trombley briefly appeared in court, and attorney Allan Cruikshank was assigned to his case.

Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie said no plea was entered because his office had asked that no plea be accepted pending the completion of the criminal investigation.

He said Trombley consented to giving a blood sample and that authorities are waiting for lab testing to determine how to proceed with the case. He could face additional charges.

Trombley remains free on bail and will return to court Nov. 5.

At the time of his death, Lee, a U.S. Air Force veteran, was running for a seat on the Altona Town Council, on which he had already served one term.

Wood, the Altona Republican Party chairman, spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy and was employed at Champlain Peterbilt.

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at: avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com