ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando police are examining a car that could lead them to the person who hit a man and took off. Passing drivers found the man lying in the road and did everything they could to help him.

While police found the car they believe was involved, the driver is still on the run. The man, identified as 24-year-old Ethan Grimes, was hit early Monday morning in Orlando as he crossed Colonial Drive near Jamajo Boulevard.

Detectives with the traffic homicide unit are releasing very little information about the car or its owner, for fear that by doing so it might jeopardize the investigation.

Jerry Bonhomme was on his way home around 2:45 Monday morning when he saw a body laying on State Road 50. He quickly made u-turn and discovered Grimes had been the victim of a hit and run driver.

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"I actually spoke to him. I said, 'Yo, you have to make it. There's no way for you to give up.' He just opened his eyes slightly," he said.

Colonial Drive is notorious for pedestrian fatal injuries. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, 11 people were killed by a driver last year.

It was no surprise to police when Crystal Morales called 9-1-1 to report that another man had been hit.

"We were trying to help him out, to wake up, but he wasn't responding. Only thing he would do was move his arms and legs," Morales said.

Grimes is from Jacksonville. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. However, police said, it's looking like he's going to make it.

"I think somebody's not human, to take the responsibility of hitting someone in the middle of the road and trying to escape," Bonhomme said.

Investigators received a tip that the person responsible was driving a gold Mazda and parked it at an apartment complex not far from where the victim was found. Detectives had that car impounded and are gathering more evidence that they said will eventually lead them to the person they are looking for.