Troopers Ask for Help Finding Driver Who Left Scene After Fatally Striking Pedestrian in Tuscaloosa County

The crash that shut down Alabama Highway 216 on Saturday killed a 70-year-old Tuscaloosa man walking along the shoulder, and State Troopers are now looking for the driver who hit him and kept going.

Sergeant Reginal M. King, a spokesperson for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, said Harry J. Martin Jr. died after being struck around 11:22 a.m. Saturday near the 4 mile marker, about four miles east of Tuscaloosa and not very far from Hurricane Creek Park.

Troopers believe the vehicle that hit him was a black Chevrolet Avalanche. It left the scene, and ALEA said the driver is still unknown.

Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's Highway Patrol Division are asking anyone who can help identify or locate the truck to call the Tuscaloosa Highway Patrol Post at 205-635-0001 and press 2 once connected.

The highway was closed in both directions for several hours Saturday while Troopers worked the scene.

ALEA said nothing further is available while the investigation continues.

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Gallery Credit: (Stephen Dethrage | Tuscaloosa Thread)