Officers were dispatched to a person down call around 4:30 a.m. Thursday in the 1500 block of South Shepherd Drive near West Gray Street.
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At the scene, officers found a man dead. Police said the victim is possibly a Hispanic man in his 50s or 60s.
Police said the man was riding an electric bike, heading southbound on Shepherd, when he was struck by a vehicle of unknown make or model.
This caused the man to lose control of his e-bike and go over the curb, coming to a stop on the sidewalk west of the roadway, HPD said.
Paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene.
The driver took off after hitting the bicyclist, police said.
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Investigators initially said it was unclear if the victim was struck by a driver or possibly suffered a medical emergency because there was no visible damage to the e-bike. However, in an update later Thursday morning, they said they were looking for a hit-and-run driver.
Police noted that the man was not wearing reflective clothing or a helmet, and the rear tail light was not working on the e-bike.
Investigators were searching for surveillance video in the area.
Anyone with information on the wanted vehicle or driver is urged to contact the HPD Hit and Run Unit at 713-247-4072 or speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.