BY SUSAN THACKER

sthacker@gbtribune.com

Felony charges have been filed against two people involved in the Feb. 2 accident that claimed the life of Casey Ann Goodwin, Barton County Attorney Douglas Matthews said.

Lee Brett Jacobs and Joni D. Margheim, both of Great Bend, had their first court appearances on Wednesday. District Judge Hannelore Kitts read the charges and set dates for their preliminary hearings.

Jacobs, 30, is charged with involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI), failing to stop and remain at the scene of an injury accident, and failing to stop and notify police of an accident involving injury, death or serious property damage. In addition to these three felonies, he was charged with DUI, a misdemeanor.

Authorities allege Jacobs was driving the car that went off NW 40 Ave. the night of Feb. 2. The back end of the car, where Goodwin, 26, was seated, struck a tree. Another passenger, 30-year-old Jeff Chapman of Pawnee Rock, was flown to a Wichita hospital in serious condition. He is reportedly recovering from his injuries.

Margheim reported the accident, initially saying she was the driver. Jacobs was not present when deputies from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene, but he turned himself in at the jail a few hours later.

The charges filed against Margheim, 29, are aiding and abetting the crime of involuntary manslaughter while DUI, and obstruction of legal process or official duty. Both charges are felonies. She is also charged with providing false information concerning an accident, a misdemeanor.

A Feb. 17 preliminary hearing was scheduled for Jacobs, and Margheim’s preliminary hearing was set for March 24.