A man who got out of his semitrailer truck on the interstate near downtown Minneapolis was run over and killed during the morning commute, authorities said Tuesday.

Robert J. Passow, 47, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, was hit by a pickup truck shortly after 6 a.m. Monday along northbound Interstate 35W just as it bends east and skirts the southern edge of downtown, according to the State Patrol. Passow died after being taken to Hennepin County Medical Center.

The pickup driver, Matthew A. Jacobson, 30, of Rosemount, was not hurt, the patrol said.

Authorities have yet to explain why Passow exited his big rig.

Paul Walsh