A 41-year-old man died Tuesday after being struck by a pickup truck in St. Paul’s North End, police said Wednesday.

Police arrested the 38-year-old driver, who officers believed was possibly under the influence of alcohol, said Sgt. Mike Ernster, a St. Paul police spokesman.

At about 2 a.m. Monday, people reported hearing a crash in the area of Larpenteur Avenue and Wanda Street, a block from Jackson Street. Ta Ku Htoo, of St. Paul, was found lying in the grass on the south side of Larpenteur Avenue, Ernster said.

Htoo had been walking in the road when he was struck by a pickup truck heading east on Larpenteur, according to Ernster. There are not sidewalks on that side of the street.

Paramedics took Htoo to Regions Hospital with a head injury, and he died Tuesday.

Responding officers smelled the odor of alcohol on the driver, identified as Jeremy Michael Ranft, and arrested him at the scene on suspicion of criminal vehicular operation, Ernster said. Police obtained a search warrant to draw Ranft’s blood for testing; results are pending.

Ranft, of Savage, has not been charged and the Ramsey County attorney’s office said the matter remains under review, pending the completion of further investigation. Ranft was released from the Ramsey County jail on Monday and said Wednesday that he didn’t want to discuss the matter.

Four years ago, also on July 3, Ranft was arrested in Scott County. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DWI, according to a court record.

Htoo’s family said Wednesday they are saddened by his loss and looking for answers about what happened. Htoo was walking to his St. Paul apartment with a friend when he was struck.

Htoo came to St. Paul about five years ago from a refugee camp in Thailand and worked hard to take care of his family, said Eh Doe Soe, Htoo’s 19-year-old son. He worked on an assembly line cutting meat at Albert Lea Select Foods, traveling about 100 miles each way between Albert Lea and St. Paul, for the last four years.

Htoo was a very good worker who was well-liked with his co-workers, said Pay Kay, his supervisor at Albert Lea Select Foods.