Help sought in mysterious pedestrian death

Accident investigators are looking for information about a pedestrian death that occurred early Tuesday morning on Highway 50 East near Airport Road.

Carson City-resident Jesse Wade Knight, 45, died after being hit by a passing vehicle, Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Mark Zacha said. He said a hit-and-run crime is not being ruled out; however, evidence points to a possible accidental impact by a semi-truck.

"When we arrived, all that was there was a man laying in the slow lane," Zacha said. "We're thinking he walked into the side of a passing semi-truck and trailer."

An anonymous caller informed officials about the accident.

Zacha said a couple interviewed during the investigation said they had seen a man matching Knight's description stumbling in the middle lane of the highway. He added that Knight smelled like he had been drinking.

The impact of the accident killed Knight instantly. He had apparent injuries to his right arm, chest and femur bone.

"Maybe the truck driver saw him but didn't feel anything," Zacha said. Investigators are hoping that a driver that may have been passing in the area is able to aide in the investigation.

Zacha said Knight's injuries did not indicate a frontal impact. His body did not suffer much "road rash" and injuries were consistent with victim would have "bounced off the side of something." Other than a pack of cigarettes that was found nearby, there was no other physical evidence recovered.

The accident is believed to have occurred in the westbound lanes of Highway 50 East in front of the K-Bar. Zacha said Knight's home was also on Highway 50 East near the site of the accident. A woman told investigators she dropped him off at the 7-Eleven convenience store at 1 a.m., more than an hour before he was hit.

Knight's aunt Mary Sackett said Knight "was a good kid who was close with his sister Kathy and his brother Stormey."

Knight is one of eight children. According to friends of Knight, he suffered from stomach cancer.