Waterford — Police are considering a death that occurred near a Crystal Mall parking lot overnight or early Thursday morning the result of a hit-and-run crash.

According to Lt. Dave Burton, police responded to the mall at about 7:33 a.m. for a report of an unconscious person there. Upon arrival, they discovered a deceased man lying on the ground between the roadway and the parking lot of the mall at 850 Route 85.

Police have since identified the man as 61-year-old Kim Weeks. His last known address was in New London. Police said their preliminary investigation indicated Weeks was the victim of a hit-and-run crash that likely occurred overnight or in the early morning.

Shortly before 9 a.m., police were stationed on the stretch of Route 85 nearest to the Sears store. Several officers were looking over the guardrail toward a grass-covered ledge.

Working in conjunction with state police, Burton said town police identified and seized a blue Toyota Sienna minivan they believe was involved in the incident. Police are not releasing information about the owner or operator of the vehicle due to the ongoing investigation.

The Waterford accident investigation team and investigative services unit worked together in the probe.

Police, who had closed a portion of Route 85 south for the investigation, routed traffic through the mall parking lot and back onto Route 85 for about four hours.

Anyone who was traveling along Route 85 Wednesday night or early Thursday and saw a pedestrian or a crash is asked to call members of the Waterford accident investigation team at (860) 442-9451.