Police are hunting the driver of a car after a man died when the vehicle crashed into a house.
The 32-year-old man was a back seat passenger in the Mercedes, which struck a property in Bower Hill, Epping, and he died at the scene.
Essex Police said at least one other person in the car fled shortly after the crash, which happened at about 04:50 BST.
No-one in the house reported being injured, the force added.
Roads were closed to allow emergency services to continue their work, with residents warned of delays throughout the day.
People living in the area said on social media they were woken by a heavy police presence, including a helicopter.
Officers appealed for anyone with any information, including doorbell and dashcam footage, to come forward.
Cadent, the gas distribution network, said it was called to the incident and engineers arrived on site at about 05:30.
It said the crash had impacted the outlet pipe, so gas and electricity was turned off at the property and the home had been evacuated.