KINGWOOD, W.Va. — The 84-year-old missing Preston County resident has been found deceased after a search lasting several days.
West Virginia State Police said Willard DeWitt, who had significant medical issues and showed possible signs of dementia, was found dead inside his vehicle overturned in the Youghiogheny River near Oakland, Maryland on Monday.
Initially investigators cite road and medical conditions as causes of the crash, but the investigation is ongoing.
During the search, troopers learned the Toyota truck DeWitt was operating could transmit its location if a cellular signal was obtained. Knowing this, they obtained a cellular signal booster and drove rural routes throughout Preston County in an effort to find the vehicle.
The West Virginia State Police Kingwood Detachment was assisted by the state police Aviation Unit, the Garrett County Sheriff’s Department, Garrett County Natural Resources Police, West Virginia Emergency Medical Services and a local Preston County search team.