M23 layby fatal crash

A man in his 50s died after being hit by a car in a layby on the M23, with police arresting a man in his 40s on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Man in his 50s dies on M23 layby as police arrest man

A man in his 50s was killed when a car struck him in a layby on the M23 between Junctions 8 and 7, shortly before 6:30 am on Sunday. The collision involved an Audi and a VW, and the VW driver was outside his vehicle at the time. The northbound carriageway was closed for several hours as investigators worked the scene.

Police later arrested a man in his 40s on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. Officers asked for witnesses and for any dashcam, CCTV or helmet-cam footage, and said they are particularly interested in the movements of a purple Audi Q4 before the crash. The A23 northbound was affected by closures in the area as the inquiry continued.

This incident shows how highway accidents can disrupt travel patterns and put pressure on emergency services. The arrest signals the case could reach a formal charging stage, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities treat fatal crashes on busy roads.

As investigators seek footage and other evidence, the public should see a careful, fact-based reporting approach that avoids speculation while the inquiry unfolds. The episode also highlights the importance of dashcam availability and timely information sharing to clarify what happened on fast roads.

Highlights

Road safety remains a shared responsibility for drivers and authorities as investigations proceed.