A driver who fatally struck a pedestrian on a busy Darwin street is believed to have dumped his car before running from the scene.

The car struck the 30-year-old as he crossed McMillans Road at Jingili, outside the Airport Hotel, about 8pm (CST) on Wednesday night.

He was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital but died a short time later.

Police said the driver of the white Ford Falcon Utility is believed to have driven off and parked his car near the Gateway Motel.

He later returned to the scene on foot before fleeing the area.

"The driver of the vehicle actually parked it up and then ran away from the scene," Duty Superintendent Bob Harrison told ABC radio.

"We attended a residence for the registered owner (but) it doesn't appear to be the owner of the vehicle that was driving the vehicle at the time."

Supt Harrison said police believe the car was not stolen but had been loaned to a friend.

"Obviously that friend is now disappeared somewhere," he said.

The fatality takes the NT's 2009 road toll to 27, compared to 65 for the same period last year.

Investigations are continuing to locate the driver of the vehicle, who was described by police as being a Caucasian male, in his early 50s and with a solid build.

At the time of the offence he was wearing an orange and blue work shirt and had plaster or bandages on his left arm and left leg, police said.