Actress Zina Bethune has died at the age of 66 following a hit-and-run horror in Los Angeles.

The screen and stage star, who appeared in Martin Scorsese's first feature film Who's That Knocking At My Door, died in the early hours of Monday morning after she was struck by two vehicles while trying to help an injured animal.

Bethune had pulled her car over in Forest Lawn Drive and was crossing the road to help the stricken creature when the first vehicle struck her, catapulting her body onto the opposite carriageway.

The actress was then struck by a second car, which dragged her body 600 feet. Cops believe the driver of the second vehicle failed to stop after the accident.

Bethune was a talented dancer who performed for the New York City Ballet before moving into acting.

She enjoyed roles in various TV dramas including The Guiding Light, The Nurses, Police Story, Planet of the Apes, Route 66, and CHiPs.