A young man from Nunavut was struck and killed as he tried to cross Highway 417 east of downtown Ottawa late Sunday night.

It happened at about 10:30 p.m. between St. Laurent Boulevard and Highway 174, according to Ontario Provincial Police.

The man has been identified as 22-year-old Gordon Pitseolak of Pangnirtung, Nunavut.

The highway was closed westbound for a time as police investigated, but all lanes have since reopened.

It is illegal to walk on Highway 417 under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act.