Emotional scenes as family and friends gather to mourn Burton teen killed in Tuesday’s heartbreaking crash

The teenager killed in Tuesday’s heartbreaking motorbike crash at Virginia adored cars and bikes and was a much-loved member of his community.

Family and friends gathered Wednesday to pay tribute to the Burton teen tragically killed in a horror crash at Virginia on Tuesday.

Valentino Paradiso, 18, died when his motorcycle collided with a Holden ute on Old Port Wakefield Road in the late afternoon on May 10.

There were emotional scenes as crowds converged at the crash site to remember the young man who will me missed by many including his Aunt Lorasia Rignanese.

Ms Rignanese told Channel 7 that Valentino was “a good boy” and was “totally different” to other men his age.

“Every time we would go to their place for a birthday of something he would be there being a cheeky boy running around,” she said.

Burton teen killed in Virginia motorbike crash Valentino Paradiso remembered as a loving friend. Picture: Instagram

“I hope he is in a better place, we will all miss him so much.”

Mr Paradiso’s Instagram account has pictures of him with his beloved cars and motorbikes and he has also been remembered for his and his family’s involvement in several northern suburbs soccer clubs.

Mr Paradiso played junior soccer at Pontian Eagles Soccer Club and president Terry Kalaitsidis said “the gentle, fun-loving” 18-year-old had this year looked to return to the pitch before work commitments prevented him from playing again.

Mr Kalaitsidis said Mr Paradiso’s father had been a star of the club and following in his footsteps was something he had wanted to do.

“We would like to send our condolences to the family, Valentino is going to be an extremely missed young man,” he said.

The club, where Mr Paradiso’s uncle was the current vice president, planned to wear black armbands in tribute at the weekend’s matches against the Northern Demons.

Burton teen killed in Virginia motorbike crash Valentino Paradiso remembered as a loving friend. Picture: Instagram

Friends, Renee Ward, Hayley Jade, and Darcy Rundle joined a chorus of voices expressing in their grief.

“Until we meet again. Fly High Tino, you didn’t deserve to be taken from us so soon,” Mr Ward wrote.

“Rest in peace Val, you’ll be forever loved and forever missed by everyone,” Ms Jade wrote.

“Such a young soul gone so early, Rest In Peace Valentino,” Mr Rundle said.

“Thank you for all the great memories we shared and your bright smile for lighting everyone up.

“I love and miss you so much.

“Please come back just one more time with the boys.”

Just days before the crash Mr Valentino shared a photo with his partner Shaniessa McInerney with the caption, “lover”.

Mr Paradiso was a student at Thomas More College, and several sentiments shared online discussed how his loss would impact the whole school community.

Burton teen killed in Virginia motorbike crash Valentino Paradiso remembered as a loving friend. Picture: Instagram

“Another recent TMC (Thomas More College) life lost too soon,” Fiona Mare wrote.

“RIP such tragic news for the TMC community,” Valeria Kamilow wrote.

Emergency services were called to Virginia around 5.30pm and closed off Old Port Wakefield Road between Penfield Road/Sheedy Road and Nash Road for several hours while crash investigators examined the scene.

Police said the ute driver, a 22-year-old man from Lewiston, was not physically injured in the crash.

Mr Paradiso’s death was the 28th on SA roads so far in 2022 and the sixth motorbike rider to die.

Motorcycle Riders‘ Association of South Australia vice president and road safety officer Ebi Lux said a fifth of crash fatalities were motorcyclists.

“We sympathise with the family and we ask that riders ride safely on our roads,” Mr Lux said.