A Columbia man died late Sunday after being struck by a semi on Interstate 70 in Saline County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the 66-year-old man was walking in the right lane of eastbound I-70 just before 11 p.m. when a 2023 Freightliner overtook him. The 26-year-old driver moved to avoid the pedestrian but was unable to do so in time. 

After striking the pedestrian, the driver pulled the truck to a stop on the side of the highway. 

Members of the highway patrol, assisted by deputies of the Saline County Sheriff’s Department, responded to the scene, where Deputy Joe Campbell, the acting coroner, declared the victim dead.

The MSHP report states the incident took place near the 70.4 mile marker, between Sweet Spring and Marshall Junction.