The unnamed man, who police say was 30-years-old, had only arrived on the island earlier that day, and was spending his first night on holiday with two friends.
His body was found lying on rocky ground next to the TF-1 motorway in Los Cristianos on Friday morning, wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and a wristband for the all-inclusive hotel he was due to stay at.
Spanish police are now investigating the bizarre circumstances leading up to the man’s death.
Investigators believe the man had become separated form his friends earlier on Thursday evening, and hijacked a car from outside a shopping mall in Costa Adeje.
A motorists is said to have momentarily got out of his car and left the key in the ignition, while his wife waited the passenger seat.
The British man is said to have jumped into the car and driven off, with the terrified woman still inside.
He allegedly drove towards the TF-1 motorway with both car doors still open, before the woman passenger jumped out some time before or after he crashed the vehicle.
He was then seen walking along the hard shoulder of the motorway attempting to steal another car and a motorbike.
Spanish media reported the Briton then got into a car stuck in traffic, but the female driver escaped the vehicle and raised the alarm.
He was last seen alive running down the hard shoulder of the motorway and jumping over a barrier close to where his body was found a few hours later.
Authorities on the island are now trying to piece together how the unnamed man died, and what caused his behaviour on Thursday night.
A post mortem examination has been scheduled which will reveal if he asunder the influence of drink or drugs.
The woman who jumped out of the first car suffered injuries and was reportedly only saved from being hit by an oncoming car by an off duty police officer.