Officers say a 24-year-old man from Fowler had been driving his Honda on a dirt road next to Golden State Boulevard just before 5 am.
Detectives think the driver tried to turn across an embankment when the car became stuck. That's when he left his vehicle and walked toward the roadway.
A short time later, a passing vehicle hit the man when the driver said he jumped out into the roadway.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities say the other driver is cooperating with the investigation.