LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Authorities are investigating the death of a man who was found down in the roadway on Highway 53 near Clearlake late Friday night.

The incident was first reported at about 11:40 p.m. on Highway 53 between Jessie Street and Dam Road, according to radio reports.

The first units on the scene reported a man down in the highway’s northbound section.

Initial reports said it appeared to be a pedestrian who had been hit by a vehicle.

Just after 11:50 p.m., it was confirmed over the air that the injured man had died.

At 11:55 p.m., at the request of one of the officers on the scene, the Clearlake Police Department issued a Nixle asking people to avoid that area of the highway due to a traffic collision, with the northbound lane temporarily blocked.

Firefighters released the scene to the California Highway Patrol just after 12:20 a.m. Saturday.

A short time later, there was a request for two personnel to assist with traffic control for less than an hour.

Additional information will be published when it becomes available.

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