A man who was hit by a car while he was lying in a Shoebury road died as a result of a road traffic collision, an inquest has ruled.

Anthony Lewis, 46, of Tilbury, died from multiple injuries after being run over by a car in Poynters Lane.

Chelmsford Coroner’s Court heard expert forensic testimony that stated Mr Lewis had been lying prone across the straight stretch of carriageway when he was hit by a Ford Fiesta at 2.10am on February 4.

The circumstances surrounding how he came to be lying in the road remain a mystery. A post-mortem examination revealed that he had a blood alcohol level of 320mg per 100ml of blood in his system as well as other medication.

A person is considered legally drunk with just 35mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

PC James Griffin of Essex Police’s Forensic Collision Investigation Unit gave detailed evidence in front of senior coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray. Mr Lewis’ family, including his mother and father and his son Tommy, were also present at court.

PC Griffin went gave detail including the damage to the car, which was restricted to the region below the headlights. He also stated that there was no evidence suggesting the driver braked or swerved before hitting Mr Lewis but that it is unlikely she had enough time to do so after seeing him.

PC Griffin testified that the road was completely dark and the driver was using dipped beams, which is within her legal rights. He added that Mr Lewis was dressed almost entirely in black and would not have created a shadow or silhouette because of how close he was to the ground. There was also no evidence to suggest the driver was speeding and it ruled out the possibility that he was hit by another car beforehand. Coroner Beasley-Murray said: “What a tragedy. He was clearly much-loved.”