POLICE were warned that a 19-year-old Woodley man was walking in the middle of a road — moments before he was struck by a car and killed.

The police watchdog has been called in to investigate Thames Valley Police’s response to reports of a man who was walking along Valley Road, in Hughenden, High Wycombe, in the dark at about 6.40pm on Monday.

Julian Randall, of Southlake Crescent, Woodley, was then hit by a blue Vauxhall Mokka.

The driver called the emergency services and he was rushed to Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, but later died from his injuries.

His father Duncan told yesterday (Wednesday) how the family were in a “pretty bad” way after being told of Julian’s death. He said Julian may have become separated from friends he had been out with that day leading him to be all alone on the road.

He said his eldest child had aspirations of becoming a singer. But he was considering going back to Reading College to take a plumbing course.

He was a member of a hardcore metal band called Elysium that had played regularly in clubs around Reading.

Julian had been working at Pets At Home pet shop in Winnersh and was described as an animal lover with a collection of pets, including a lizard.

His father said: “He was out with friends that day but may have become separated from them.

“But that’s for the investigation.”

The family was trying to come to terms with the devastating news by burying themselves in mundane tasks like housework and the garden.

He said: “Nothing can be worse than sitting there moping. We’re just getting on with it — that’s the best therapy.”

He paid tribute to his kind and thoughtful son who used to entertain him with his jokes.

“The things he used to say would crack me up but it was the way he said it not just what he said.”

The case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) after officers received calls that a man was walking on the road.

IPCC spokesperson Samantha Burnham said: “The IPCC has received a referral from Thames Valley Police. We are carrying out an assessment to determine what level of involvement, if any, is needed by the IPCC in an investigation.”

The driver who struck Julian has been helping police with their enquiries but had not been arrested in connection with the accident.

Friends took to social media to pay tribute to Julian with a new Facebook page — Julian Randall RIP — set up in memory of the former Waingels College pupil.

Dawn Ellis wrote: “RIP Julian, you will be sadly missed by us all.... You and Harry always made me laugh at Pets at home... Miss you loads xxx”

Victoria Prince added: “Taken far too soon. Rest in peace dude xx”