A 27-rear-old North Hollywood resident was struck by a taxi and killed early Monday morning on Highland Avenue, south of Hollywood Boulevard.

The collision occurred around 4:45 a.m. near the intersection of Highland and Hawthorn Avenues. According to Det. Nelson Hernandez, with the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Traffic Division, police are still investigating the circumstances that led to the collision. The victim, Daniel Don Curtis, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

“We have one or two witnesses who are saying that they saw this guy dancing in the middle of the street prior to being hit,” Hernandez said. “We are still looking at what this guy was doing out there. The coroner has taken possession of the body and his next of kin have been notified. It may take some time to determine if alcohol or drugs were a factor.”

Hernandez said the taxi driver was heading northbound on Highland Avenue when the collision occurred. The taxi driver, who was identified as a 52-year-old resident of Burbank, was not injured or cited.

“He said he was just driving on Highland and this guy suddenly came out in front of him,” Hernandez added. “It was dark out there at the time.”

Highland Avenue was closed between Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards until 8 a.m. Hernandez said the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office will conduct toxicology tests to determine if Curtis was under the influence, which will take several weeks. The police investigation will also be ongoing, and any additional witnesses are asked to call investigators with the LAPD’s West Traffic Division at (323)473-0234.