POLICE have spoken with a taxi driver who saw 23-year-old Thomas Lenton in the hours before his death.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Mr Lenton, who lived in Verwood, was on foot when he was involved in a collision with a Peugeot 208 on the B3081 Verwood Road.

Police and paramedics rushed to the scene at around 5.45am on Saturday, August 25. However, Mr Lenton died at the scene.

Detectives from Hampshire police's serious collision investigation unit are leading the probe into the crash, which happened on the corner of Hampshire and Dorset close to the Somerley House Waste Recycling Centre.

In September, they called for anyone with more information to come forward. Officers said they were "particularly keen" to speak to the taxi driver who drove Mr Lenton and two friends from Bournemouth to Verwood in the early hours of Saturday morning.

At that time, Sergeant Rik Grant said: “We know that Mr Lenton and his two friends got into a taxi close to the Genting Casino in Bournemouth at around 4.30am and were taken to The Quomp in Ringwood, which would have taken around ten minutes.

“We are keen to speak to the driver of this taxi as he may have information that could help with our investigation.

“We are looking at all possible scenarios surrounding this collision and it may be that another vehicle was involved."

Officers have confirmed they have identified and interviewed the driver.

The police investigation has now concluded, and the matte referred to the coroner. An inquest is due to take place on February 4. 

Mr Lenton's family paid tribute to a "ray of sunshine" who "lived life to the full every single day".

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting 44180330815.