HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Community protests continued Monday evening in Huntington in connection with the Friday death of 13-year-old Laney Hudson.
She was struck in a crosswalk by a cruiser being driven by an off-duty deputy at 5th Ave. and 31st Street.
Cabell County Sheriff Chuck Zerkle identified the deputy Monday evening as Jeffrey Racer. He had a woman in his cruiser. He is currently on administrative leave.
Investigating state police troopers have said Racer was given field sobriety tests and a breathalyzer. He was not under the influence, troopers said.
Sgt. B.K. Wellman said the investigation is progressing.
“They’ve (the community) just got to give us time and be patient and have faith in us that we’re going to do our job and do it thoroughly,” Wellman said.
Information about the speed of the vehicle could be known in a matter of days.
“We’re going to have a reconstructionist come in and reconstruct the accident. We’re going to remove the black box from the vehicle and download the data from that. That will determine speed and things like that,” Wellman said.
Another protest is scheduled for Tuesday morning outside the Cabell County Courthouse.