A YOUNG man who died after being struck by a van on the M25 as he was running away from police officers has been identified as 18-year-old Dean Christopher Taylor from Dartford.

Mr Taylor came from Farnol Road in the town. It is reported that he ran onto the carriageway near Bow Arrow Lane in Dartford at about 5am last Saturday.

Initially the inquiry into the tragedy was passed to the Independent Police Complaints Commission because police officers were involved.

But the investigation has now been handed back to Kent Police’s serious collision investigation unit (SCIU).

Part of the investigation will include Kent Police's professional standards department who will look to establish if there is any link between the tragedy and another incident.

Police say officers responded to reports from members of the public in the early hours of Saturday after a number of cars had been damaged in the Bow Arrow Lane area.

Officers attended and stopped two men, one of whom matched a description given by a member of the public.

Following further investigations, three men were arrested and have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Officers from SCIU would like to speak to anyone who may have information which may help with their investigation. They can be contacted on 01622 798535.