Pedestrian, 44, struck and killed in Tucson traffic

Eugene Anthony Nieto was crossing the street outside a crosswalk in the 300 block of East Fort Lowell Road around 1 a.m. when he was struck by an eastbound Hyundai Elantra, the Tucson Police Department said in a news release.  

The Elantra, driven by a 41-year-old man, struck and killed him. Police said the driver immediately contacted authorities and was not under the influence.

Witness interviews and road evidence indicated Nieto was attempting to cross Fort Lowell approximately 150 feet east of a High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) signal, which would have given him the right-of-way to cross the street had he used it, police said. 

Mid-block crossing by Nieto was identified as the primary factor in the crash, TPD said. The investigation continues.