The Knox County Sheriff’s Department says 30-year-old Robert Hamilton, of Warren, was killed instantly when a car struck him shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday on a dark section of road without street lights.

Chief Deputy Tim Carroll said the driver, 27-year-old Kurt Olesch of Old Town, tried to swerve but couldn’t avoid hitting Hamilton. Investigators don’t think alcohol was a factor, but Olesch was charged with operating after suspension.

Carroll said it’s not known why Hamilton was walking in the middle of the road.