A man was struck and killed near his home on a residential street in Mankato late at night by a driver who fled the scene, authorities said.

Police arrived about 1:20 a.m. Wednesday to find 88-year-old William A. Maher down in the 600 block of E. Main Street, police said. The body of the Mankato resident was stretched across the westbound lane and the sidewalk, said Police Cmdr. Dan Schisel.

Maher was a former commissioner on the Blue Earth County Board, serving from 1977 to 1988.

Schisel said it's too early in the investigation to say whether Maher, who lived a couple of blocks away, was hit while on the sidewalk or in a lane of traffic.

Parts from the vehicle were recovered at the scene by police for examination that could lead to finding the driver, Schisel said.

Late Wednesday afternoon, police said they are looking for a 1999 to 2004 Jeep Cherokee with a light gray or silver plastic grille.

Maher was by himself when he was hit halfway up a hill on Main, which the commander called "one of our steepest hills in the city."

"Whoever was involved in this should contact us," Schisel said. "Let's talk and move forward."

Anyone with information about this incident is being urged to call police at 1-507-387-8725.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482