Memphis, TN : 66-year-old killed in hit-and-run crash on Getwell Road near American Way on Monday, June 13, 2016

Investigators are searching for the person responsible for a hit-and-run crash on Getwell Road near American Way.

Police said 66-year-old Sidney Talbert was hit by a car just after 10:30 p.m. Monday. He was taken to the hospital in extremely critical condition, but later died.

The car that hit him did not stop. Police found a left-side mirror from a Ford on the scene.

Police said this hit-and-run is one case in a growing problem.

“He was a sweet guy he never bother anybody. He's smiling all the time,” Adantech Essema said.

Essema works nearby to where Talbert was hit and said she misses the smiling face of her friend.

“The guy said ‘oh, last night he died.’ I feel shocked, you know; I was really shocked,” Essema said.

Lieutenant Carey Hopkins with Tennessee Highway Patrol said cases like this are becoming more common.

This time last year there was a total of 207 pedestrian-involved crashes. So far in 2016, there have been 254.

Hopkins said the combination of distracted driving and distracted walking have caused the uptick.

“We've got pedestrians not using the cross walks, crossing probably when they shouldn't be crossing,” Hopkins said.

Police said Talbert was walking outside a crosswalk when he was hit.

“We have a lot of traffic here and it's dark,” Essema said.” (I’m) shocked because I'm expecting to see him in the morning. … I miss him already.”

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66-year-old killed in hit-and-run