TROY, Ala. — Wiley Noble Morse, a longtime resident of Troy and known for his daily walks, was tragically killed in a hit-and-run incident Sunday night on Highway 231. Morse was walking with his dog, affectionately named “Punk Munk,” en route to a friend’s home when he was struck by a vehicle whose driver fled the scene without stopping.
According to Alabama law enforcement officials, after the initial hit-and-run, Morse was struck a second time by a different vehicle driven by a 25-year-old man from Pansey in Houston County. The driver of the first vehicle remains unidentified, and no description has been publicly released by authorities.
Jason Buchanan, Morse’s brother-in-law, expressed the family’s heartbreak and frustration over the lack of information. “If the guy had stopped, the other guy probably wouldn’t have hit him,” Buchanan said. “We just want justice because how can someone do something and then just leave an injured person sitting there? It’s just sad, and I hope the person is found.”
Family members described Morse as a kind and generous man who faced life’s challenges with resilience. Despite his struggles, he was known for his quick wit and willingness to help others. “He talked so fast and sounded like Boomhauer from King of the Hill,” Buchanan said, smiling at the memory. “If you were in trouble, he would give you the shirt off his back.”
In the wake of the tragedy, Morse’s family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses, as he did not have insurance. Buchanan emphasized the importance of community support: “With the generosity of the public, if we could go ahead and fill in that last gap to give him a proper burial, the family will have closure, and we can work on the next chapter of life.”
Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding the hit-and-run to contact the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) at (334) 983-4587.
