A woman was hit and killed in the middle of the Downtown Connector early Thursday morning.

The deadly accident shut down the southbound lanes past Cleveland Avenue for several hours overnight, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. Lanes began closing about 1:45 a.m. and did not reopen until 4:30 a.m.

Police said the woman, who has not been identified, was hit near Central Avenue in southwest Atlanta just before 1:30 a.m.

“The driver of the vehicle did remain on scene and advised officers that he was traveling south on I-75/85 when he observed a pedestrian in the lanes of travel,” Atlanta police spokesman Officer Jarius Daugherty told AJC.com. “The driver stated that he attempted to avoid the pedestrian but was unsuccessful.”

The man pulled over to the side of the interstate and called 911. He is not expected to be charged, Daugherty said.

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Channel 2's Justin Wilfon reports.