A male pedestrian died in a fatal hit-and- run that occurred on Highway 11 on Hawaii island.

The victim’s identification is pending.

Police said the pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on the Hilo-bound lanes of the highway north of Makalika Street at 1:50 a.m. today. The vehicle then fled the scene.

Police said the unresponsive pedestrian was taken to Hilo Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

Speed and/or inattention may have been factors in the crash.

Police temporarily closed a section of the highway by Makalika Street and Kilauea Avenue to investigate. The road reopened sometime before 6 a.m.

The Hawaii Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation.

This is the fifth traffic-related fatality on the Big Island compared to seven at the same time last year.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call officer Blayne Matsui at 808-961-2329. Tipsters may also call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.