Troopers release new details in teen death investigation

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - West Virginia State Police released new information after a teenager was hit and killed Friday night in Huntington.

Troopers say the 13-year-old girl was hit and killed by a marked cruiser driven by an off-duty Cabell County Sheriff’s deputy.

The family identified the victim as 13-year-old Laney Hudson.

Hudson’s family describes Laney as always having a smile on her face.

West Virginia State Police say the deputy was given two breathalyzer tests on the scene and then taken in a cruiser to the West Virginia State Police field office for field tests.

Troopers say both of the deputy’s blood alcohol level tests read 0.0.

Troopers explained it’s standard protocol anytime they’re investigating an incident with a fatality.

“He was given a breath test that indicated he had not been drinking. He was also given a field sobriety test by a certified drug recognition expert. One of the troopers took extensive training and they ruled out any impairments whatsoever,” said Sgt. B.K. Wellman with the West Virginia State Police.

West Virginia State Police said at this time no charges have been filed and it’s still early on in the investigation.

State Police say the black box will be pulled from the cruiser involved to determine if speed was a factor.

A reconstructionist team out-of-county will reconstruct the scene late this week or early next week.

Cabell County Sheriff Chuck Zerkle said none of the department’s cruisers have dash cameras.

Zerkle tells WSAZ.com the department also announced an internal investigation to see if the deputy violated any policies.

Read our previous coverage of the investigation here.

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