BENTON COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) — A former Lafayette School Corporation teacher is dead after a hit and run in Benton County.
Marguerite "Peggy" Morgan, 75, taught at Tecumseh Middle for around 30 years. She retired and occasionally worked as a substitute for the past three years, according to her former colleague Donna Schurman.
The Benton County Sheriff's Office reports the incident happened on Thursday, Jul. 23 at approximately 6:37 p.m. The office received a call about an accident that happened on 150 E near 900 N in northern Benton County.
Morgan, who is from rural Goodland was riding her bike when she was hit by a car, she was found lying in a ditch. According to the sheriff's report, she died from her injuries while being taken to the hospital.
Witnesses report seeing the driver immediately speed off. One witness recognized and helped law enforcement identify the driver as Eddie Norris, 44, of Wadena. It took a day before law enforcement was able to locate him.
The sheriff's office issued a felony arrest warrant for Norris after the hit and run. Officers found his car at his home but he was not there. On Saturday, Jul. 25, they received a tip that Norris may have been staying at a different address with some friends in Wadena.
That led officers to the home of William Boyer, who gave law enforcement permission to search his house for Norris. Officers found Norris in the back of the home trying to hide. According to officers, Norris pulled out a pistol and officers moved back and took cover outside the house.
During this incident, Norris fired off one round while inside the home alone. Indiana State Police's SWAT team came to surround the home.
The sheriff's office reports after unsuccessful attempts at negotiating with Norris, officers decided to enter the back of the house. Norris was found dead inside with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
