A 71-year-old man has been killed after a car operating in full self-driving mode struck him while he was crossing Interstate 80 in Vallejo, California, in the United States.

The crash occurred at about 2:35 a.m. on Thursday on the westbound freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), whose officers found the pedestrian with fatal injuries when they arrived at the scene.

The car was being driven by a 26-year-old man from San Francisco, who told authorities that the vehicle was operating in full self-driving autonomous mode when it hit the pedestrian.

According to the CHP, the driver remained at the scene, cooperated with investigators and provided footage of the incident recorded by the vehicle’s dashboard camera.

A preliminary review of the footage showed the car travelling at about 70 miles per hour in the second lane when the pedestrian entered the freeway from the right shoulder and began crossing towards the centre divide.

The video reportedly showed the vehicle’s brakes being applied as the driver attempted to steer left to avoid the man.

“Despite these evasive actions, the right front portion of the car struck the individual,” the CHP said.

Investigators also believe the pedestrian was struck by another vehicle while lying in the traffic lanes following the initial collision. However, the other vehicles involved did not stop, leaving authorities unable to identify their drivers.

The CHP’s Solano office is investigating the incident and has urged anyone who witnessed the crash or has information about the other vehicles involved to contact the office. (Los Angeles Times)