Update-- Police have identified the man killed while crossing MoPac Wednesday night as 51-year-old Joseph Ernest Thebado.

Earlier-- A man was hit and killed Wednesday evening after attempting to cross MoPac between the 2222 and the 35th street exits.

He was struck around 8 p.m. when officials say the man was running from east to west across the highway.

The accident closed southbound MoPac and forced drivers to exit at 2222. Police say crossing freeways is never a good idea.

"The message is not to be crossing on the highway,” Michelle Aparicio with the Austin Police Department said. “It's very dangerous, cars are going at a very high rate of speed. They are not going to see you and they are not going to be able to brake in time. We have issues, and the chief is aware, on us about making sure we ticket those on the roadway."

Police don't believe alcohol was a factor in the accident. The driver stayed on scene and was treated for emotional trauma.