BUTLER TWP — Police are investigating an early morning crash that killed a 25-year-old Butler woman walking on Route 8 near the Picklegate Bridge.

A pickup truck struck Jennifer Matuke about 5:05 a.m. when she stepped off the cement median between the southbound and northbound lanes at the split between the Picklegate and the Greater Butler Mart, investigators said.

A Butler Ambulance Service crew treated Matuke before she was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

The Butler County Coroner’s Office did not immediately know if there would be an autopsy. Standard toxicology tests would be conducted even if there is no autopsy, authorities said.

The pickup driver, 49-year-old Braden Weitzel of Butler, who was traveling south, was not injured. He immediately stopped after the wreck.

Police said Matuke and a male friend were walking south before the crash but at some point she ventured across the two lanes and onto the median.

Her friend remained “across the road in a safer area,” said Butler Township police Lt. Matthew Pearson.

Police did not immediately know where Matuke was going or coming from but they noted she was wearing dark clothing. Weitzel was driving to work at the time.

The crash remains under investigation and police did not indicate if any charges would be filed.