Missoula, MT – A 53-year-old man was killed Tuesday night after being struck by a semi-truck while crossing Brooks Street in Missoula. The collision occurred just after 10:30 p.m. near the intersection of Brooks Street and South Higgins Avenue.
According to the Missoula Police Department, officers responded to the scene shortly after the incident was reported. The truck, which was traveling southbound on Brooks Street, struck the man in a crosswalk. The semi-truck, which was not hauling a trailer, continued south without stopping, leaving the scene of the accident.
Authorities located the victim in the 300 block of Brooks Street, where he was pronounced dead. As a result, a section of Brooks Street, stretching from Beckwith Avenue to South Higgins Avenue, was closed to traffic for several hours while law enforcement conducted an investigation.
With the assistance of other local agencies, the semi-truck was later found, and the 38-year-old driver was detained. However, the driver has since been released, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation. The Missoula Police Department is collaborating with the Missoula County Attorney’s Office to assess whether criminal charges will be filed in connection with the incident.
As of Wednesday, the identities of the pedestrian and the driver involved have not been publicly released.
The Missoula Police Department is asking anyone with information related to the crash to contact their office at 406-552-6300. The investigation into the fatal accident remains active.
