A 65-year-old man is dead after he was struck by a driver in downtown Toronto in a hit and run on Saturday night, police say.

The collision happened on Jarvis Street between Gerrard Street East and Dundas Street East, police said in a news release on Sunday. Emergency crews were called to the scene at 10:10 p.m. Several people called 911 about the collision.

Toronto paramedics took the man to a trauma centre but he died of his injuries there a short time later.

The victim's shoes were left on the street.

Det. Brett Moore, of Toronto police's traffic services, said the man was walking across Jarvis Street, from west to east, when he was hit by the northbound driver. Moore said the driver then fled the scene.

"We need video evidence. We find that furthers our investigations very quickly," Moore told reporters early Sunday.

A shoe is seen on Jarvis Street following the collision. Police say several people called 911. (Jeremy Cohn/CBC)

Investigators from traffic services are continuing to canvas the area for security camera video and more eyewitnesses.

"Eyewitness accounts are critical," Moore added. "The faster we get information, the better."

In a news release, police said: "A description of the suspect vehicle is not being released at this time while investigators continue to canvass local businesses and residents for video surveillance, and identify further eye witnesses."

Jarvis Street was closed in both directions from Gerrard Street East to Dundas Street East for hours as officers from traffic services investigated, but the road reopened early Sunday.

Local residents, businesses and drivers who may have security or dashboard camera footage of the area or collision are urged to call police.

Police closed a stretch of Jarvis Street following the fatal hit and run but the road has since reopened. (Jeremy Cohn/CBC)