TROY — A man from Preble County was arraigned this week in connection with a fatal accident that took place in July near Covington.

Lucas J. Kelch, 39, of New Paris, was arraigned on one count of first-degree felony aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of first-degree misdemeanor OVI in Miami County Common Pleas Court.

Kelch was charged in connection with a fatal accident that took place on July 6, 2021. According to previous police reports, Bryan K. Gibboney, 28, of Bradford, died at the scene of a crash on State Route 48 at Covington-Bradford Road when a vehicle, driven by Kelch, crashed into a wooded area around 4:18 a.m. on July 6. Kelch, also of Bradford at the time, was transported by a medical helicopter to a Dayton-area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

According to the indictment against Kelch, he was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana at the time of the accident.

Kelch entered pleas of not guilty. Kelch was released on his own recognizance. A pretrial hearing was scheduled for Jan. 10.

In other news:

Cecil L. Archie, 35, of Piqua, was arraigned on charges of first-degree felony possession of cocaine and first-degree felony trafficking in drugs on Monday in Miami County Common Pleas Court. Those charges are in connection with an incident on or around Feb. 25, 2020. The indictment is also seeking a forfeiture of approximately $7,000 of U.S. currency found in his possession during the commission and/or facilitation of those offenses.

In February 2020, the Miami County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Archie’s apartment at the time on the 200 block of East Main Street in Piqua. Evidence seized during the execution of the search warrant included suspected cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and U.S. currency.

Archie was also arraigned on first-degree felony possession of cocaine, fourth-degree felony possession of cocaine, and fifth-degree felony possession of marijuana on Monday. Those charges are in connection with an incident on or around Jan. 21 of this year.

According to previous reports from the Miami County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshal’s Service assisted the Sheriff’s Office in January in attempting to locate and arrest Archie, who had outstanding Miami County warrants for felony trafficking narcotics. Information was received that Archie was staying at a residence on the 800 block of Nicklin Avenue in Piqua. Archie was not located at the residence, but it was confirmed he had been staying there. Additionally, detectives observed further evidence of narcotics trafficking while at the residence.

Detectives applied for and were issued a search warrant for the Nicklin Avenue residence. Items seized included cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and U.S. currency.

Archie was later incarcerated in the Miami County Jail on Dec. 22. On Monday, Archie entered pleas of not guilty. Archie’s bond was continued at a $25,000 blanket bond. He continues to be held at the Miami County Jail. A pretrial hearing for Archie was scheduled for Jan. 3.