ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Asheville Police Department is investigating the death of a pedestrian after a vehicle collision Thursday night in West Asheville.

Around 8:44 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, APD officers responded to a collision report at the 400 block of Smokey Park Highway in West Asheville.

The preliminary investigation indicates that Eric Jonathan Cope, 48, was crossing Smokey Park Highway outside of a designated crosswalk when a northbound 2003 Ford F-250 pickup truck struck him. After the accident, Cope was transported to Mission Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Next of kin has been notified.

The driver, meanwhile, remained at the scene. The incident remains under investigation, the conclusion of which will spark a consultation with the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office to determine what to make of the tragedy.

If you have any information about this collision, please contact APD at (828) 252-1110. You can also send an anonymous tip by texting “TIP2APD” to 847411 or by using the TIP2APD smartphone app.