A 21 year old man from East Devonport has died, with his body found on the side of the road after being hit by a car sometime after 4am this morning.
Following the incident that occurred at Port Sorell Main Road near East Devonport, a man and a woman have come forward and have been interviewed by police.
Detective Inspector Kim Steven says “All indications at this stage are that it was a tragic accident.”
It will be decided in the coming weeks what, if any charges, are laid.
Officials say that one of the members of the couple was dropping the other to work at the time of the incident and evidence points to them getting out of the car and having a look for what was hit.
Detective Inspector Steven says there’s “some suggestion that they thought they may have hit an animal”.
“They did stop and have a look and our investigation is showing that at the moment. So, it doesn’t appear to be a matter of them knowingly hitting someone and taking off from the area”.
“Despite having a search of the area, they didn’t find the person”.
It’s believed that the man was walking back to the family home after visiting a friend at Latrobe. The 21 year old had only moved to Tasmania within the past few weeks.
He was wearing dark clothing at the time and Detective Inspector Steven has urged anyone walking on country roads, or those without footpaths, to walk facing traffic.
“Indications are that it was dark, before daylight (at the time of the incident), and the person was walking with the flow of traffic, which adds to the risks”.
“It appears to be a whole set of circumstances that have come together for a tragic end.”
Port Sorell Road between the Airport roundabout and the Frankford Road roundabout was re-opened at around 11am , after being closed for a number of hours following the grim find.
Police have appealed to the public to anyone who saw a late model black Isuzu D Max Dual Cab Utility with a solid canopy or a man walking along the road in that area in the early hours of this morning is asked to call police on 131 444.
Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au