ST. CATHARINES – Police are trying to determine why a St. Catharines man was walking near a highway on-ramp when he was struck by a vehicle and died Saturday night.

The 59-year-old man was hit at the entrance to the QEW at Dunkirk Rd. around 8:15 p.m.

Police said a 35-year-old St. Catharines man was driving east on Dunkirk Rd. when he attempted to enter the QEW and hit the pedestrian.

The pedestrian died at the scene, police said.

The left lane of eastbound Dunkirk Rd. becomes the on-ramp for the QEW and there is no sidewalk. It's in an industrial and commercial district, with residential homes down the road.

NRP spokesman Const. Richard Gadreau said police are asking anyone who might have seen anything in the area to contact them.

Gadreau said police have identified the deceased man, but his name has not been released.

The driver wasn't injured.

No charges have been laid.