Suspect dies in jail cell after stabbing, multiple Downtown hit-and-runs

UPDATE FRIDAY 10:48 A.M.: 

The man suspected of stabbing his wife and running down six people in an SUV during rush hour Wednesday morning has died in the Marion County Jail, the Marion County coroner’s office confirmed.

Michael Morris died Thursday night while he was held on suspicion of multiple felonies related to the spree that injured seven people.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office in a statement said Morris was found unresponsive in a cell around 9:34 p.m. Investigators do not suspect foul play, the statement said.

Katie Carlson, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, declined to release further details about his death.

The Marion County Coroner's Office will perform an autopsy.

THURSDAY UPDATE:

A man is suspected of stabbing his wife while housesitting Wednesday morning on the Far Eastside, stealing her car and speeding through Downtown as commuters walked to work, striking six people at five intersections.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officer Chris Wilburn called the spree a "rush-hour, mini reign of terror" that only ended when the man, identified as Michael Morris, crashed the car on the Westside, leading to his arrest.

Morris' wife is in the hospital in stable condition, Wilburn said. She told police that Morris immediately became violent and stabbed her after taking drugs.

The hit-and-run injuries vary — the most serious of which was a person who sustained a severe head injury after being hit on the sidewalk of the Conrad Indianapolis hotel at 50 W. Washington St.

The crime spree began in the 3700 block of Roseway Drive on the Far Eastside just after 6:30 a.m. when police said Morris stabbed his wife and stole her car, a silver Ford Edge.

Wilburn said Morris drove the SUV through Downtown, striking five pedestrians and a motorcyclist at five locations:

■ The SUV struck two people at Pennsylvania and Market streets.

■ One person was hit at Washington and Meridian streets.

■ The SUV traveled several yards west and struck someone standing in front of the Conrad Indianapolis.

■ The vehicle turned north and struck a person at Illinois and Ohio streets.

■ The Ford Edge hit a person on a motorcycle at Michigan and Delaware streets.

Police arrested Morris when he crashed the SUV at 30th Street and Cold Spring Road.

David Gadis, Indianapolis, was knocked down at the intersection of Washington and Meridian streets as he walked to work. He witnessed others being struck by the vehicle.

"It was horrific," Gadis said.

Gadis said he first thought the driver may have had a seizure, but then he said he saw that the driver appeared to be in control of the vehicle, erratically driving down Washington Street.

Morris drove over Gadis' foot, brushed his shoulder and knocked him to the ground. He said he saw the SUV strike other people in the intersection, as well as the person who was standing on the sidewalk in front of the Conrad. That injury appeared severe, he said.

"I was lucky," Gadis said.

According to court records, Morris has a long history of drug convictions, dating back to 1995. He has also been convicted of resisting law enforcement, forgery and burglary.

Call Star reporter Madeline Buckley at (317) 444-6083. Follow her on Twitter: @Mabuckley88.