LANSING, MI -- A 51-year-old Lansing man died Saturday when he attempted to cross Interstate 96 on foot.

Billy Ray Watkins was struck by a minivan traveling along westbound I-96 about 2:30 p.m., instantly killing him, according to Lansing police. Watkins was attempting to cross the roadway's westbound lanes between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Waverly Road.

The minivan was carrying two adults and four children, none of whom were Lansing residents. None of them were injured.

Police said it is not known why Watkins was crossing the interstate highway on foot.

The incident caused authorities to close westbound I-96 between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Waverly Road for several hours as the accident was investigated. The investigation remains open.

Follow Brandon Howell on Twitter: @BHowellMLive. Email him at brhowell@mlive.com or call him at 517-908-0711.

Click here

to subscribe to MLive Lansing's newsletter.