Tributes for motorcyclist Steve Hackett who died after collision with car at Noarlunga Downs

A loving father died in a motorcycle crash after colliding with a car on a major road in the southern suburbs – the second of three fatal crashes this week.

Port Willunga motorcyclist Steve Hackett died at an intersection on Barcelona Rd Noarlunga Downs around 9:40pm on Tuesday. Picture: Dean Martin

A Port Willunga motorcyclist who died after a devastating crash in Adelaide’s southern suburbs was a loving father and incredible friend, his grieving loved ones say.

Father of two Steve Hackett, 46, who owned at least six motorcyclists, friends say, died doing what he loved.

His motorbike crashed into a Mitsubishi station wagon on Barcelona Rd at Noarlunga Downs around 9:40pm on Tuesday.

“He was a nice person, genuine bloke,” a friend told The Advertiser. “He was much loved and a nice person.”

She described him as a “genuinely great father” who loved his two children, a toddler son and older daughter.

Steve Hackett, who died after a car crash at Noarlunga Downs, is remembered as a loving father. Picture: Facebook: Steve Hackett

Steve Hacket was a motorcycle fanatic, his friends said. Picture: Facebook: Steve Hackett

Several friends of Mr Hacket have shared touching tributes on social media on Wednesday.

Wayne Piening posted to Facebook a tribute to his “bro” Steve writing “ya gonna be sadly missed”.

Bri Lyn also took to Facebook to share her sadness following Mr Hackett’s death, saying she could not “fathom” his absence.

“I am so grateful you had the time to visit me in my mother’s family home,” Ms Lyn wrote. “There’s only so many that I’d let so close, we had conversations I will forever hold close to my heart.

“Who would of thought that was one of the very last times I’d see you. So many people loved you and are going to miss you.

“You were so good to all of us women, we all loved you and will miss you sharing all the changes and updates you made around your house and yard when we came to visit.”

Steve Hackett died in a devastating crash at Noarlunga Downs. Picture: Supplied by friend

Steve Hackett who died in a devastating crash at Noarlunga Downs with his daughter. Picture: Supplied by friend

Another friend, Ricky Carbone said Mr Hacket was a “true brother and friend to many”.

“(He) was just such a top bloke with a huge heart overall and is gonna be deeply missed by so many. Until we meet again brother,” Mr Carbone wrote.

“Can’t even find the words. You’ve left us all heartbroken,” another friend, Mel Hersbach, wrote on Facebook. “Rest in peace, my world will never be the same.”

The driver of the station wagon, a 51-year-old woman was not injured and is helping police with their inquiries.

The road was closed for a period of time while Major Crash officers investigated the scene, however it has since been reopened.

The man’s death is the 92nd life lost on South Australian roads this year, compared with 57 at the same time last year.

He is also the 18th motorcyclist killed on our roads this year compared with nine for the whole of 2022.

It is the latest fatal in a spate of serious crashes across SA in recent days.

Just 12 hours earlier, a cyclist and beloved grandfather, who previously survived a road crash that killed his friend, died after being struck while riding.

Emergency services were called to Abbatoirs Rd at Port Pirie South after reports of a collision between a Mitsubishi ute and a cyclist just after 9:20am on Tuesday.

The cyclist, identified as Risdon Park man John Dennis, died at the scene.

And a man died at Chain of Ponds in the Adelaide Hills after the car he was riding in with three other men crashed into a tree on Wednesday morning. The driver and two other passengers are in the RAH with critical injuries.