Family Members Say Man Killed In Unsolved Hit-And-Run Was The 'Glue' Holding Family Together
PENN HILLS (KDKA) -- The grief has been intense for a family after their loved one was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Penn Hills earlier this week.
Joseph Morris, 51, was walking in Penn Hills around 9:30 p.m. Sunday when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver.
KDKA' Lisa Washington Reports:
"As he was walking home, he was struck by a vehicle in the area of 419 Hershey Road and that vehicle dragged him a little over half a mile down the road to where he was found at 184 Universal Road in Penn Hills," Allegheny County Police Detective Steve Dish told KDKA News.
The driver of the suspect car sped off, and Morris died at the scene.
Police said at the time, Morris was walking back home after finishing work as a cleaner at a Duquesne Light facility. He had another job at the Edgewood Country Club.
Joseph Morris was the third son of seven Morris children. He loved to walk and loved window shopping.
His family says Morris was conscientious about his work.
"His entire life was spent about his family. He is the most selfless man. He had his problems. We all have our crosses to bear. One of his greatest crosses he beared was mental illness," Lisa Morris, the victim's sister, said.
They said despite his mental illness, he led a very structured, disciplined and simple lifestyle.
"He wanted to be self-sufficient and took care of himself. If you got to know him, he was a great guy, would do just about anything. I know people say that all the time, but he genuinely was that. I mean, he was the glue that held a big chunk of our family together," Lee Morris, the victim's brother, said.
Police have released a photo of the car they believe was involved in the hit-and-run accident.
The exact make and model are not known.
"I would like whoever was involved and knows anything about this to please come forward to bring some closure to the family," Patricia Verbanic, the victim's sister, said.
"If I ask for anything, it is for someone to come forward and give whatever information they can," Lisa Morris said.
Dish says there has been a major increase in the reward in the case.
"Numerous donors have come forward providing reward money. [A total of] $12,000, in addition to the $1,000 Crime Stoppers reward money, is being offered," he said.
Anyone with information on the driver or the hit-and-run vehicle is asked to all the Allegheny County Police tipline at 1-833-255-8477.
You can remain anonymous.