The collision happened in the 700 block of Woolworth. The victim, according to police, was thrown in the air and landed in a roadside ditch.
At about 1am Wednesday, two high school seniors heard the sounds of an argument outside their bedroom window.
"I heard people arguing and we heard a big old bang," said witness Brittany Diaz. "We looked out the window and we see somebody on the floor."
According to detectives, a group of men got into an argument with another group. Moments later, witnesses told them a white car turned the corner and ran over one of the men still standing in the street.
Det. M.F. Stahlin with HPD Homicide said, "It sounds like he went up and over the vehicle, cracking the vehicle's windshield. The vehicle then sped off."
Witness Jasmine Perez said, "We just kept looking outside, and the ambulance finally got here."
The victim, who detectives say is a man in his forties, suffered head injuries. He was rushed to Ben Taub Hospital but died a short time later. At this point, investigators aren't sure whether the hit and run and the earlier argument are tied together.
"It's not the best lit area of town," said Det. Stahlin. "It's possible that it's just a coincidence that they were involved in an argument."
Either way, the driver who hit the man committed a crime, and officers are actively looking for the car that left the scene.
"Right now we're looking for a small white compact car with front end damage and a cracked windshield," Det. Stahlin explained.
The driver at the very least faces charges of failing to stop and render aid, basically hit and run. Police are asking anyone who sees a vehicle that matches the description to give them a call.
Find Simon on Facebook at ABC13SimonGutierrez or on Twitter at @sggutierrez
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