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Jacqueline “Laney” Hudson

Age : 13

Gender : Female

Race : White

Date : 12/30/2022

Location : 5th Avenue and 31st Street

City : Huntington

County : Cabell

State : West Virginia

Agency : Cabell County Sheriff's Office

Officer(s) :Deputy Jeffrey Racer

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Pedestrian killed by police cruiser

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 12/30/2022, Jacqueline “Laney” Hudson, 13, was struck and killed by a marked Cabell County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle driven by off-duty Deputy Jeffrey Racer at 5th Avenue and 31st Street in Huntington, West Virginia. The collision occurred at approximately 10:34 p.m.
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Racer was off duty but driving his department-issued cruiser. According to the subsequent special-prosecutor investigation, Racer was taking the cruiser to his girlfriend's residence so that the vehicle would be available to him for his work shift the following morning. A female companion was riding with him.
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According to authorities, Hudson and another teenager entered the roadway as Racer proceeded through the intersection on a green light. Racer attempted to stop but struck Hudson. The second teenager was not struck. Racer stopped and called 911. Hudson died from her injuries.
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The West Virginia State Police led the crash investigation. Investigators attempted to obtain speed information from the cruiser's event-data recorder, or “black box,” but were unable to recover useful speed data. State Police Sgt. R.A. Marsh instead reconstructed the collision using skid marks, the location of Hudson's body and other physical evidence. His analysis produced an estimated speed range of approximately 47 to 55 mph, with an average estimate of 47.9 mph. The posted speed limit was 35 mph.
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Investigators subsequently conducted an hour-long speed survey at the intersection and recorded 63 passing vehicles. After eliminating the highest and lowest readings, authorities calculated a median speed of approximately 49 mph. Special Prosecutor Mark Sorsaia later cited that survey in concluding that even if Racer had been speeding, the available evidence did not establish the level of reckless disregard required for a negligent-homicide prosecution.
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Sorsaia also cited evidence that Hudson had consumed alcohol and marijuana before the collision and concluded that Racer would not face criminal charges. Hudson's family disputed the prosecutor's conclusions and continued seeking accountability for her death.
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Racer was initially placed on administrative leave. He subsequently resigned from the Cabell County Sheriff's Office.
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Hudson's mother, Opal Slone, later filed a federal civil lawsuit against Racer, the Cabell County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Chuck Zerkle and the Cabell County Commission. The lawsuit alleged that Racer was speeding and argued that because he was off duty and was not responding to an emergency, he had no legal justification for exceeding the posted speed limit.
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The lawsuit also alleged that Racer failed to provide proper aid following the collision, including by failing to transport Hudson approximately half a mile to St. Mary's Medical Center. These are allegations made by Hudson's family and should not be stated as established findings.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
Jeffrey Racer was a Cabell County Sheriff's Office deputy. He was off duty when he killed Hudson but was operating a marked sheriff's patrol vehicle assigned for his work. Racer told investigators he was taking the cruiser to his girlfriend's residence so he could use it for his shift the next morning.
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Special Prosecutor Mark Sorsaia declined to charge Racer with negligent homicide in May 2023. Racer had been placed on administrative leave after Hudson's death and subsequently resigned from the sheriff's office. Hudson's family later sued Racer and county officials in federal court, alleging speeding and negligence.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wsaz.com/2023/05/11/prosecutor-deputy-will-not-be-charged-teens-death/
https://woub.org/2023/05/13/west-virginia-officer-will-not-face-charges-for-striking-killing-13-year-old-with-cruiser-off-duty/
https://woub.org/2023/09/28/west-virginia-teen-killed-off-duty-deputy-jury-trial-demand/
https://apnews.com/article/ff6542186c1e6584fe181961b9216f9a
https://wvmetronews.com/2023/01/06/funeral-for-huntington-teen-struck-and-killed-by-deputys-cruiser-set-for-saturday/