DANVERS — A 56-year-old North Beverly woman died yesterday after she was struck by a sport utility vehicle on Conifer Hill Road near the entrance of Danvers Plaza yesterday.

State police, who are investigating the fatality, said a 2003 Cadillac Escalade, driven by 29-year-old Thomas Lantych of Danvers, struck a pedestrian who was outside her vehicle on the side of the road shortly after noon.

The victim, Linda E. Robinson of Stewart Lane, was taken to Beverly Hospital by Lyons Ambulance; she later died at the hospital.

State police are releasing few details on the crash. Trooper Eric Benson said he did not know why Robinson, who was alone in the vehicle, stopped on the side of the road.

They said Robinson had been driving a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee on Conifer Hill Drive when she pulled over on the right side of the road.

She got out of her car and was struck by the Cadillac, which was also heading south.

Lantych, who was also alone in his vehicle, was not injured in the crash.

During the crash investigation, Conifer Hill Drive remained open, with traffic being diverted around the crash scene.

The crash scene is a few steps from the entrance of Danvers Plaza, home to Staples, Stop & Shop and Texas Roadhouse.

The crash remains under investigation with the assistance of the Essex County state police detective unit, the state police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, and the state police Crime Scene Services Section.

The Danvers Fire Department, Danvers Police Department and MassHighway assisted troopers at the scene.