CRYSTAL FALLS — A Bates Township man has waived his preliminary examination and pleaded not guilty in Iron County Trial Court to charges stemming from an accidental shooting that killed a 20-year-old woman earlier this year.

Ronald Austin Egeler, 22, now has a pre-trial conference Sept. 18 on use or discharge a firearm under the influence causing death, a 15-year felony; careless discharge of a firearm causing injury or death, a two-year high court misdemeanor; and purchase, possess, carry or transport a pistol without a license, a 90-day misdemeanor.

Egeler reportedly shot a .380 pistol while under the influence of an unspecified controlled substance and caused the death of Savannah Marcell on March 23 in Bates Township, according to the criminal complaint.

Michigan State Police released few details on the incident at the time but said they believed the shooting to be accidental.

Iron County Prosecutor Melissa Powell didn’t authorize a warrant for Egeler until July 11.