The South Carolina man who was struck and killed early Tuesday morning on Interstate 20 in Newton County was driving a car registered to a dead Alabama man, authorities said.

According to Georgia State Patrol, William Clark Hildreph, 44, from South Carolina lost control of his Chevrolet Impala while traveling east on I-20. He collided with the median wall, causing his vehicle to spin around and come to rest facing west in the eastbound lanes.

When Hildreph exited his vehicle to cross lanes of traffic on foot, he was hit by a red or burgundy SUV.

The driver of the SUV fled the scene and is still at large, said GSP spokesman Gordy Wright.

Upon further investigation of the incident, officers discovered Hildreph was driving an Impala that belonged to a man in Haleyville, Ala. When Haleyville police went to the owner's residence to notify him the vehicle had been in a crash, the owner was found deceased, said Wright.

GSP officials are still looking for the driver of the SUV and encourage anyone with information to contact GSP at (770 464 - 1800 or (706) 210 - 2050.