UPDATED INFORMATION 11:53 a.m. 022519:
State Police have identified the victim as 77-year-old Thomas D. Vedder from Bernhards Bay.
The investigation is continuing.
State police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred on County Route 37 in the town of West Monroe, Oswego County.
On Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, at 10:30 p.m., Trooper Nathan Horner was northbound patrolling on County Route 37 when he observed a male lying in the northbound lane of the roadway. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler was also located off of the west shoulder, facing northbound, unoccupied and still running.
Preliminary investigation revealed a 16-year-old male driver was operating a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox northbound on County Route 37 when he was distracted by the Jeep off the roadway. He was unable to avoid striking the decedent.
Investigators are trying to determine why the 77-year-old man was lying in the roadway. It appears he exited the Jeep Wrangler and left the vehicle in drive and it ultimately came to rest just off the shoulder of the roadway.
The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The name of the decedent is being withheld until next of kin can be notified. The roadway was closed for several hours while the state police Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the scene.
The investigation continues.
State police were assisted at the scene by the Brewerton Fire Department.