California Highway Patrol investigators are searching for a hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a wheelchair-bound Rio Linda man early Sunday, a CHP spokeswoman said.

Timothy Freitas, 40, was riding in his wheelchair along Q St. west of 18th St. around 1 a.m. Sunday when he was hit by an unknown vehicle, CHP Officer Lizz Dutton said. Dutton said it was unclear exactly how fast the westbound driver may have been going when the vehicle struck Freitas. Freitas suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A passing motorist who stopped to offer help said another man was standing over Freitas and told the motorist to call 911. That witness said the man then quickly left the scene in a maroon or dark-colored sedan resembling a 1999 or 2000 model Chrysler Concord. Dutton said the vehicle may have minor front-end damage, including a broken headlight. The driver was described as approximately 6 feet tall with an average build and a heavy Slavic accent.

Dutton said the man was wanted for questioning but was not considered a suspect in the collision.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the North Sacramento CHP office at (916) 338-6710.