An Australian tech and media “genius” is believed to have been killed in an alleged hit-and-run in the United States.

News Corp Australia is reporting the 43-year-old man was killed on Saturday morning around 7.30am local time when he was allegedly struck down in Nampa, Idaho.

While the man’s name has not been officially released, friends and former colleagues of Leslie Nassar have taken to social media to express their grief.

“So sad. The engineering genius behind #QandA @leslienassar is gone. My thoughts are with his wife & daughters who he loved so much,” tweeted Peter McEvoy, the executive producer of ABC program Q&A.

Mr Nassar was known for his satirical column at Crikey, Department of Australia, and had founded and managed TweeVee TV, which moderated tweets for the live broadcast of Q&A.

https://twitter.com/coopesdetat/status/790139637931008000

He was also responsible for the digital campaign for Samsung which saw photos of everyday Australians projected on the sails of the Sydney Opera House, and for creating an online audio feed which provided an alternative commentary from Roy and HG during Lions versus Wallabies matches.

It is reported that Mr Nassar’s two daughters, aged three and eight, were also injured but have been released from hospital.

Local media KVTB says a 20-year-old man is being held in the Canyon County Jail on a charge of leaving the scene of an injury crash.

KVTB is also reporting that police believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.

-AAP