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December 18, 2009

Man indicted for fatal crash

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG

PLATTSBURGH — A Morrisonville man has been indicted for manslaughter and negligent homicide for allegedly causing the crash that claimed the lives of two local veterans.

Aaron Trombley remained quiet and kept his fists tightly clenched when he was arraigned on the charges in Clinton County Court Friday morning.

The 32-year-old was visibly upset when he was escorted from Judge Patrick McGill’s courtroom in shackles after realizing that he will likely be unable to post the bail or bond needed to now secure his release from custody.

He has been facing a number of lesser charges since the mid-October crashed that killed Ronald L. Lee, 69, of West Chazy and Robert J. Wood, 44, of Altona.

Authorities believe Trombley was driving under the influence when he veered into the oncoming lane of traffic on Military Turnpike.

Trying to avoid the crash, Herbert O. Therrian, 56, of Altona swerved into the other lane, where Trombley then crashed into the car, killing the two men riding with Therrian.

Both drivers were injured and have since recovered.

Trombley was initially arrested for reckless driving and operating a motor vehicle with ability impaired by drugs, along with a slew of traffic citations.

Recently, he was indicted for second-degree vehicular assault, first-degree vehicular manslaughter, two counts of criminally negligent homicide, two count of second-degree vehicular manslaughter.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges during his arraignment Friday when Assistant District Attorney Doug Collyer pushed for a high-bail status saying Trombley was already facing a DWAI charge at the time of the crash.

After the $100,000 cash bail and $200,000 bond was granted, the case was adjourned until March 4.

Trombley, who has a past criminal record, is being represented by attorney Allan Cruikshank.

State Police arrested him on the new charges Thursday night.

It was still unclear Friday what drugs Trombley was allegedly using prior to the accident.

District Attorney Andrew Wylie said Trombley faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the top manslaughter charge.

No one from the victims’ families were at the arraignment but have previously spoken out advocating for stiffer charges against Trombley.

At the time of his death, Lee, a 20-year U.S. Air Force combat veteran, was running for a seat on the Altona Town Council, on which he had already served one term.

Wood, who was the Altona Republican Party chairman, spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy and retired in 2004.



E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at:

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com

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