Detectives looking into the role a semi may have played in the I-68 fatal accident

CHEAT LAKE, W.Va. — Detectives from the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department report they are examining the role a semi-truck may have played in a fatal accident on I-68 eastbound on the Cheat Lake Bridge January 19.

The driver of the passenger car, Kevin Lataille of Smithfield, Pennsylvania, 59, was killed in the accident.

Sheriff Todd Forbes said the Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team and detectives are conducting follow up interviews and vehicle diagnostic downloads and further inspections as the investigation continues to determine the role a 2025 Freightliner may have had in the passenger car going over the side of the bridge and into the lake.

Updates will be provided when information produced by the investigation is verified.