The incident took place at about 3.15 pm at junction 15 at the flyover of the A701 Beattock to Moffat road, and involved a silver coloured Volkswagen Golf 5.
As a result the driver, a 72-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene.
He has since been named as Nicholas Dennis from Maidenhead.
The female passenger, a 69-year-old woman, was transferred to hospital in a critical condition.
Constable Lloyd Caven from the roads policing team said: “A full crash scene investigation was carried out and the road was closed for around seven hours.
“We have spoken to a number of witnesses who witnessed the vehicle crash from the A74(M) and land on the A701, however I am keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the vehicle travelling northbound on the motorway shortly before the collision.
“Anyone that witnessed the collision or has captured it on the dash cam should contact us on the 101 number, quoting reference 2105 of 26/09.”
