Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby announced today that a Saratoga County Grand Jury has returned an indictment charging Morgan Lange in connection with a fatal incident that occurred on September 8, 2025, in the Town of Malta.
The indictment alleges that on September 8, 2025, at approximately 10:15 p.m., members of the New York State Police were dispatched to Bentley’s Tavern in Malta for a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, Troopers observed a male, identified as Joshua Soden, pinned underneath a vehicle in the parking lot.
Troopers Kianna Gutenmann and Matthew Zell immediately attempted to lift the vehicle off the victim using a car jack. Members of the Malta Ridge Fire Department responded shortly thereafter with a hydraulic jack and were able to extricate the victim. Mr. Soden was resuscitated at the scene and transported to Saratoga Hospital by Malta-Stillwater EMS. He was subsequently transferred to Albany Medical Center, where he later tragically passed away.
Troopers Gutenmann and Zell conducted an on-scene investigation and identified the defendant, Morgan Lange, as the operator of the motor vehicle involved. It is alleged that the defendant was intoxicated at the time she operated the vehicle and caused it to strike and pin the victim underneath. The indictment also alleges that the defendant attempted to conceal an open container of alcohol prior to police arrival.
According to the indictment, the defendant later provided a breath sample at the New York State Police barracks, which revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.12 percent. In the days following the incident, New York State Police Investigators Brian Watts and Amanda Puckett continued the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.
District Attorney Eby stated: “This indictment reflects the serious nature of the allegations and the tragic loss of life in this case. We commend the swift actions of the New York State Police, Malta Ridge Fire Department, and Malta-Stillwater EMS, as well as the thorough investigative work that followed. The District Attorney’s Office is focused on preparing for trial and supporting the victim’s family through this difficult time.
The prosecution of this matter is being handled by Acting Vehicular Crimes Bureau Chief Alexander Brennan and Assistant District Attorney Robert Conklin.