ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. -- A man working on a utility line early Tuesday was hit and killed along an Alexander County road.

Trooper said they are still searching for the driver involved in the crash on Old Mountain Road near Smith Farms Road south of Taylorsville.

Authorities said 61-year-old Hank Pittman Jr., who worked for Terra Design Inc., checked in with his employer at 2 a.m. and said that he was done with his work. About 45 minutes later, a driver called 911 and said he found a man lying in the road.

Pittman, who was thrown nearly 70 feet, had the headlights of his truck on as well as yellow warning lights.

Investigators said they think whoever hit Pittman stopped and checked on him before fleeing the scene because they found Pittman’s jacket underneath his head. Pittman was flown to Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, where he later died.

Pittman was from North Wilkesboro. Co-workers said he had at least five children.

“(We’re) just in shock. He had five or six children. They need everybody’s prayers right now,” said co-worker David Quates.

Friend Marty Davis said he’s hoping for justice.

“Turn yourself in,” he said. “He had a family.”

Troopers are looking for a vehicle with damage to the left front side and at least one broken window. They said they hope to recover paint chips from Pittman’s clothing to identify the color of the vehicle.

They too are hoping the driver will come forward.

“They need to do the right thing. It’s the holiday season. We've got a family here that's lost a family member, and I know they need some closure,” said Sgt. Brian Owenby of the Highway Patrol.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Highway Patrol at 828-466-5500.