MONONGALIA, COUNTY, W.Va. — Detectives from the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department have concluded the investigation into a fatal crash January 19 on the I-68 eastbound bridge over Cheat Lake.

January 19 deputies from the sheriff’s department responded to a report of a jack-knifed tractor-trailer driven by Sukhjinder Singh, of New York. Singh told deputies he lost control of the tractor-trailer due to heavy snow and high winds at the time.

That afternoon, the Morgantown Police Department received a report from the family of Kevin C. Lataille, 59, of Smithfield, Pa., Family members told police they were speaking to him on the phone as he drove home from his work shift at the Eat-n-Park in Morgantown.

On January 23, Morgantown police learned a ping from Lataille’s phone indicated his last known location was near the Cheat Lake Bridge.

Deputies also reviewed surveillance footage from the area, that showed a large vehicle sliding on the bridge, throwing snow into the air, and a separate passenger vehicle falling from the bridge into the lake.

Aerial drone footage later confirmed the presence of a submerged vehicle in Cheat Lake near the location shown in the surveillance footage.

On January 26, multiple units conducted a recovery operation and found the vehicle with Kevin Lataille deceased inside.

The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department accident investigators determined Sukhjinder Singh’s tractor was traveling at an unsafe
speed despite hazardous road conditions. Witness testimony also described Singh’s driving as reckless and even criminal. Investigators also confirmed that Singh’s tractor had struck another vehicle prior to reaching the bridge and failed to stop.

Further examination of Lataille’s vehicle confirmed damage consistent with a collision involving Singh’s tractor, specifically at the driver’s side rear of Lataille’s car. This impact ultimately sent the vehicle off the bridge and into Cheat Lake.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Sukhjinder Singh for negligent homicide and more charges could be filed at a later date.

The Monongalia County Prosecutor’s Office is working the case.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the sheriff’s department at 304-291-7260.