Indiana Hit-and-Run Suspect Surrenders

Police plan to release more details Thursday morning

The Indiana Sheriff's Department confirmed Thursday a "person of interest" is in custody in connection with Tuesday's hit-and-run that struck four correctional officers, killing one.

Police said in a statement the suspect surrendered late Wednesday night after his attorney contacted the sheriff's office and informed them the man wanted to turn himself in.

The suspect's vehicle has since been impounded.

Lake County Sheriff John Buncich said four officers were jogging on 93rd Avenue around 7 p.m. Tuesday near the jail complex in Crown Point when a dark-colored SUV or pickup truck drove into the group from behind.

One of the officers, Britney Meux, died at the scene. Three others -- David Murchek, Delano Scaife and Latasha Johnson -- were injured. Scaife, 22, was in critical condition Wednesday at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Buncich said it doesn't appear the driver made any attempt to stop or slow down before hitting the officers, but stopped short of saying it was intentional.

Meux, a former United States Marine and a three-year veteran of the force, was the mother of a 5-month-old daughter named Savannah, said Buncich. Her death would be classified as being in the line of duty, he said.

"This is a very, very sad situation. We lost one of our family last night," said Buncich. "She was little in stature but she was a real go-getter in the department."

At a vigil held in Meux's honor Wednesday night with about 100 people in attendance, her mother said she was the kind of child any parent would want.

"She was a beautiful daughter," said Jackie Meux. "[She was] a young, bright daughter doing all the right things. I think God for my daughter."

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