A Penn Hills man struck by a vehicle Sunday night was dragged for more than a half-mile in a fatal hit-and-run incident, police said.
The Allegheny County medical examiner’s office identified the victim as Joseph Morris, 51.
Police said Mr. Morris was struck in the 400 block of Hershey Road and found on Universal Road shortly after 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
According to Inspector Andrew Schurman of the Allegheny County police, Mr. Morris was dragged about 2,700 feet.
The cause of death included blunt force trauma to the head, neck, trunk and extremities, the county coroner’s office said.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“He was caught under the vehicle and dragged almost the entire length of Hershey, and for a short stretch on Universal,” Inspector Schurman said.
Detectives who reviewed surveillance footage that captured the incident said Mr. Morris was walking home after finishing work as a cleaner at a local Duquesne Light facility when he was struck by a vehicle in front of 419 Hershey Road and dragged by it for just over one-half mile to Universal Road.
Detectives said they have identified a suspect vehicle, but the exact make and model are not yet known.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Allegheny County Police Tipline at 1-833-ALL-TIPS (1-833-255-8477); callers can remain anonymous.
First Published: April 29, 2019, 10:32 a.m.
Updated: April 30, 2019, 10:15 a.m.
