A teenager from Stanford-le-Hope died yesterday when his car hit the back of van parked in a lay-by off a dual carriageway.
The crash happened by the London-bound carriageway of the A13 at Pitsea on Friday afternoon.
The 18-year-old, was driving a Citroen C2 which collided with the back of a white Mercedes van. He died at the scene.
The van driver was taken to hospital and treated for a minor head injury, Essex Police said.
The road was closed for about five hours while officers dealt with the collision and investigated the cause.
Witnesses to the collision, which happened at 1510 GMT, are asked to contact Essex Police.
Our whole family are absolutely devastated at this news. He’s been a friend of our son’s for quite a few years now and you couldn’t meet a nicer person, he was so outgoing and fun. Our lives are richer for knowing him and will be emptier without him. Heartfelt condolences to his family, I can’t begin to imagine how much pain they must be in.
RIP Jim X