FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The North Carolina Highway Patrol is asking for the public's assistance in solving a fatal hit-and-run accident near Pine Forest Middle School in Fayetteville.

Authorities say Samuel Lee McLean, 57, of Broadway, was hit and killed sometime between midnight and 6 a.m. Friday along U.S. Highway 401 North, just north of Fayetteville.

Troopers believe McLean was walking in the roadway when he was struck by a vehicle traveling in the outside northbound lane, but investigators found no evidence at the scene and there is no description of a suspect vehicle.

McLean had been released Thursday afternoon from the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Fayetteville, where he was being treated. Family members, however, said the last time they had any contact with McLean was Tuesday afternoon when he left his home in his vehicle.

McLean's vehicle was found late Friday afternoon in Spring Lake. Investigators are not sure how it ended up there.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the state Highway Patrol at

1-800-334-7411

or

(910) 486-1334

.