Steven Lawrie, the truckie tragically killed near the SA-Victoria border last week, is being fondly remembered as a top bloke who was always generous with his time.
Before he became a driver, Lawrie was a senior firefighter at the SA Metropolitan Fire Service and station officer John McNaughton said he was popular with everyone he met.
“Steve used to always devote a lot of his time to the fire service, especially the community events,” said McNaughton.
“No matter what the event, if we asked for volunteers that day, Steve always stuck up his hand.”
A post on the Paringa Football Netball Club’s Faceook page reiterated the father-of-three’s reputation for helping others.
“Steve was a very loyal Swannies supporter who was always there to offer his services. He helped with colts trainings, umpiring senior & junior games and many other duties over recent times. Your shift is now over.”
His former boss at Shadow Security Group Wayne Mattei shared a similar sentiment.
“He was a very valued and much loved part of the Shadow Security Group family,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Steven was also loved by the staff at Big W Gawler during the covid pandemic and also The Red Lion Hotel… just another show of his always helping the community.
“Steven personally always went out of his way to assist me with filling a shift if required and always referred to me as “boss” which I always told him off for calling me that saying “mate” would be fine. Such respect from & for the big man.”
Friend Bastian Stone told 9News: “He was one of the most amazing people and he was never short on helping people out, whether it be a lending ear or just to always have a great chat.”
Both SA and Victoria police say they have launched inquiries into last week’s crash with SA top cop Grant Stevens telling media he wants urgent answers.
The accident happened on the Western Highway at Serviceton, about 5km over the Victorian border near Wolseley just after 2am last Thursday.
Victoria police were told a truck crashed into the back of a stationary truck, and the truck that was stationary, collided with a truck in front of it.