16-year-old L-plater dies after car hits tree at Lake Plains

A 16-year-old L-plater has been remembered as “one of the brightest kids at school” by his classmates after he was killed in a car crash in the early hours of Easter Sunday.

A 16-year-old Strathalbyn boy has been remembered as a star student and a talented athlete after he was tragically killed when his car struck a tree in the early hours of Easter Sunday.

Eastern Fleurieu School student Johnny Howieson died at the scene with emergency services rushing to Lake Plains Rd near Langhorne Creek at about 2.35am Sunday morning.

Lake Plains fatal victim Johnny Howieson. Picture: Facebook

The L-plater, who police initially reported as 17, was driving a Honda station wagon.

Classmate Samuel McKenzie, 16, said he was shocked to hear about Johnny’s death, describing him as “a nice bloke” who was “always down for a chat”.

“He was one of the brightest kids at school,” Samuel said.

“He was a gun at soccer.”

Classmates Ty Crosby and Ashton Hoffman, both 17, first read the tragic news on Facebook and said Johnny’s sudden death had rocked the community.

He was a good bloke, he was shy,” Ashton said.

“I feel sorry for his close mates.”

“He was good in class and he would help with anything,” Ty said.

A 16-year-old boy has died following a serious crash at Lake Plains this morning, 9th April 2023. Picture: 7NEWS

Two more classmates said his death had rocked the community, remembering him as a “shy” young man who always helped fellow students.

“He was good in class and he would help with anything,” one said.

Resident of nearby Finniss Henrietta Rollings was shocked by the incident.

“It’s another tragic statistic from this year,” Ms Rollings said.

“It would be a parent’s worst nightmare.”

The boy’s is the 43rd life lost on South Australian roads this year compared to 20 at the same time last year.

Mayor of Alexandrina Council Keith Parkes expressed sympathy for relatives and friends of the boy.

“Can’t imagine the grief and sadness the family and friends must be experiencing,” Mr Parkes said.

“Very sad to lose a young life at anytime.”

He said Lake Plains Rd “is a good road”.

A 17-year-old boy from Strathalbyn has died after his car hit a tree on Lake Plains Road at Lake Plains. Picture Dean Martin

Locals who use Lake Plains Rd also said it was not an especially dangerous road.

“I’ve had no problems with the road and you never heard of anything happening on that road,” Bridge Hotel at Langhorne Creek owner Michelle Wade said.

“It’s a country road and a well used road.

“It’s (the crash) is just horrible.”

The tragedy comes after a Campbelltown woman died on Friday from her injuries following a multi-car crash at West Lakes Shore last week.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of West Lakes Boulevard and Military Rd after reports of a three car collision about 12.30pm on Friday, March 31.

The driver of a Ford Festiva, an 88-year-old woman, was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with critical injuries. She died on Friday as a result of her injuries.

And on Thursday morning, a 63-year-old man died after the van he was driving left the road and crashed in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

The impact stripped the bark from the tree. Picture: Dean Martin

The man from One Tree Hill was the sole occupant of the van that smashed into a tree on a median strip on Main North Rd at Mawson Lakes.

The driver, an esteemed fire services employee at Airmaster, was on his way to an after-hours call at the time of the accident.

RAA’s Charles Mountain urged drivers to remain vigilant this weekend with wet weather forecast.

“We know this has been a horrific start to the year on our roads … but every time we drive we have the chance to make safe, positive decisions,” he said on Wednesday.