AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A pedestrian is dead after being hit by a vehicle early Tuesday in Augusta.

It happened sometime before 2:05 a.m. at Milledgeville and Bayvale roads, according to authorities.

The victim is a Black female who has not been identified, and she was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:50 a.m., according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

An autopsy will be scheduled.

Her name will be released once she’s been identified and next of kin have been notified.

Deputies are working to learn the chain of events.

Pedestrian deaths have been on the upswing nationwide in recent years,m and Augusta is no exception.

According to a national report by the Governors Highway Safety Association, more than 7,500 people walking were struck and killed by automobiles in 2022, the highest number since 1981. The spike was attributed in part to an increase in larger vehicles such as SUVs and pickup trucks on the road.

And the accidents may increase as the weather gets colder.

A study found every state outside of Iowa has seen an increase in the percentage of fatal crashes involving pedestrians in the winter months in recent years.

The study found Georgia ranks No. 6 in the increase of pedestrian deaths during winter, seeing a 4.3% jump.

The LendingTree study analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.