Pedestrian killed in late-night hit-and-run near Lamar Avenue and American Way in Memphis

What happened

A pedestrian was struck and killed in a late-night hit-and-run near the intersection of Lamar Avenue and American Way, a heavily traveled corridor in southeast Memphis that carries both local and through traffic.

The crash occurred just before midnight on a Sunday night, when officers were called to Lamar Avenue just south of American Way. Investigators determined the pedestrian was in the northbound lanes of Lamar Avenue at the time of the collision.

Scene details and initial investigation

Police said the pedestrian had been assisting another motorist in the northbound lanes when a vehicle struck him. The driver did not stop at the scene and continued north on Lamar Avenue through the American Way intersection.

The pedestrian was transported to the hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries. Authorities had not publicly released the victim’s identity in the initial information available about the case.

Vehicle description and public request for information

Investigators described the suspect vehicle as possibly a silver or gray Nissan Armada. Police indicated the vehicle is expected to have front passenger-side damage and to be missing the passenger-side mirror.

Authorities asked anyone with information that could help identify the driver or locate the vehicle to contact CrimeStoppers. Tips can be submitted anonymously.

Why the location matters

Lamar Avenue is one of Memphis’ most active arterial roadways, lined with commercial properties and intersecting multiple major routes. Corridors like this often present elevated risks for people on foot, particularly at night, when visibility is reduced and crossing distances can be long.

While the circumstances of this crash remain under investigation, the reported sequence—an impact in traffic lanes followed by a vehicle leaving the scene—raises issues commonly examined in fatal hit-and-run cases, including lighting conditions, traffic speed, and the time it takes for drivers to detect pedestrians near travel lanes.

Police are investigating the collision as a fatal hit-and-run and are seeking information from the public to identify the driver.

What remains unknown

• Whether any surveillance video captured the vehicle before or after the collision.
• Whether charges have been filed or a suspect has been identified.
• Whether the motorist the victim was assisting remained at the scene and provided a statement.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional details are expected as police continue to collect evidence and interview witnesses.