A man has died after a vehicle crashed into a tree close to Tunbridge Wells.

Ionut Dumitru, 30, from Hawkhurst, has been charged with causing death by driving, after the collision, which happened south of the Flimwell crossroads on the A21 London Road in Flimwell, Wadhurst

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Sussex Police were called at 3.17am yesterday.

The passenger died at the scene and inquiries are ongoing to establish his identity and for next of kin to be informed.

The driver left the vehicle and officers, assisted by the police helicopter, conducted an area search. He was arrested arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and taken to hospital.

Dumitru of Heartenoak Road was charged with one count of causing death by driving a vehicle while unlicensed and another of causing death by driving a vehicle while uninsured. He will appear before Brighton Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

The A21 re-opened at 2pm yesterday.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any dash cam footage is asked to make contact with police immediately. Information can be reported online or by calling 101, quoting reference Operation Elston.

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Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells