Woman hit and killed crossing the street near Kennewick Fred Meyer

A pedestrian died after being hit by a car on 10th Avenue in Kennewick on Tuesday evening.

The unidentified woman was crossing the busy road between Irby Street and the west entrance of Fred Meyer about 7:15 p.m. when a car heading west struck her, Kennewick police Commander Isaac Merkl told the Tri-City Herald.

The area is not well lit and the woman, who was wearing dark clothes, was not in a crosswalk, Merkl said.

Emergency crews rushed her to Kadlec Regional Medical Center where she died.

Investigators have some idea who the woman was, but they have been unable to confirm her identity, Coroner Bill Leach said on Wednesday. An autopsy is scheduled for later this week.

The 23-year-old driver initially left the crash scene, but later called police. Merkl said investigators are still trying to determine why he delayed reporting being involved.

Speed and alcohol were not factors in the crash, Merkl said.

The man’s car was impounded pending police getting a search warrant.

Department officials stressed the importance for drivers to stay vigilant especially when it’s dark, and asked pedestrians to use crosswalks and consider wearing light-colored or reflective clothing when crossing streets after dark, the department said in its Facebook post.

The department’s Traffic Unit is continuing the investigation, Kennewick police said. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the department at 509-628-0333.