EDMONTON -- A 25-year-old man who died after he was found badly battered in northeast Edmonton Friday was killed in a hit and run, say investigators.

STRUCK DOWN

Police are now hoping the person who called 911 after the man was struck down will come forward to shed some light on the suspicious death.

"It's absolutely integral for officers to not only identify (the caller), but speak with that person as they may have information that could assist officers in the investigation," said city police spokesman Karen Carlson.

The person called emergency crews from a pay phone near Jasper Avenue and 94 Street around 4:30 a.m., saying there was an injured man lying in front of the Able Arms apartment building a few blocks away, at 109 Avenue and 84 Street.

The victim was taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Investigators are trying to determine whether the vehicle intentionally hit the man before fleeing or if it was an inadvertent hit and run.

A tenant in the lower level of the apartment building -- who wanted to be identified only as Brad -- said he and his two young children awoke to ambulance sirens around 5 a.m.

PEERED

When he peered outside to find out what was going on, he saw paramedics trying to resuscitate a man on the grass.

"It was pretty hectic," the 22-year-old said. "I couldn't go back to bed."

Police have identified the victim, but aren't releasing his name.

Investigators canvassed the area after the death, but the only information they've turned up is the car involved might have been silver.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.

The case is the city's 26th traffic fatality this year.

In 2008, 29 people died on city roads.