A man who died after being hit by a car on the M25 had just been taken into police custody.
The man, who was in his 20s, was on foot when he was hit between the Cranham interchange at junction 29 and junction 28 for Brentwood on Thursday.
Moments earlier he had been arrested on suspicion of drug driving by Essex Police after failing a test at the side of the road.
The man was hit by a car just moments later when he was outside of his vehicle.
Police and paramedics tried to revive him but he was declared dead at the scene.
The service has been referred to IOPC, the police watchdog, over his death.
Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: ‘Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this difficult time.
‘We have made a mandatory referral to the IOPC and it has decided to take on the investigation independently.
‘We know this incident will be concerning to the public and we are being as transparent as possible at this early stage of the investigation. Our officers are witnesses to this tragic incident and are being supported.’
The M25 was closed for almost 12 hours following the crash and an investigation between the Hornchurch and Brentwood junctions.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said the man’s family have been informed of his death and that ‘formal identification will take place in due course.’
Detectives from the force’s roads and transport policing command are also investigating the crash.
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