Police arrest man, 41, for murder after 41-year-old is mowed down and killed by van in hit-and-run

A man has been arrested after a 41-year-old was mowed down and killed by a van before its driver sped off.  

Essex Police said officers were called shortly after 11pm on Friday to reports that a man had been in collision with a van in The Street, Little Clacton.

The man died at the scene and police are treating his death as murder.

Police provisionally named the victim on Saturday as Dean Clark, 41, from Little Clacton.

Officers said they were told there had been a fight in the area near The Blacksmiths pub before the collision.

A 41-year-old man from Clacton was arrested a short time later on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, and is in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Truss, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: ‘Our investigation into Dean’s death is in its early stages but we are making good progress and are building up a picture of what led up to it.

‘I can confirm that Dean and the man arrested knew each other and that no-one else was injured during the incident.

Police provisionally named the victim on Saturday as Dean Clark, 41, from Little Clacton. Pictured is the crime scene 

‘We have also located a vehicle which matches the description of the one involved.

‘My officers remain at the scene carrying out enquiries and you’re likely to see a police presence in the area for much of the rest of the day.

‘If you were in the area last night and saw something or have dash cam or CCTV footage I need you to contact my team.’

The van, described as a grey or silver Ford Transit with writing on the side, may also have been in a collision with a car at the scene.

It was reported to have been driven off in the direction of Morrisons and Tesco.