Tributes flow for Caleb McCabe after fatal Hillier crash

Loved ones have paid tribute to the 24-year-old Mawson Lakes man killed in the state’s first Easter road tragedy this year.

A young man killed when his car left the road and hit a tree in a front yard at Hillier has been remembered as a “bright and vibrant” person.

Caleb McCabe, 24, of Mawson Lakes, hit a tree at the intersection of Angle Vale Road and Wingate Road at Hillier about 7am on Saturday morning.

Caleb McCabe, pictured with Samantha, has been remembered as a vibrant young man who could always be relied upon. Picture: Supplied by family

His life is the first to be lost on South Australian roads this Easter long weekend.

His partner’s three sisters – Kristen, Jessica, and Samantha – visited the crash site on Saturday afternoon to lay flowers and pay tribute to the much-loved man.

Jessica, 29, said: “He was an amazing guy. He always lifted up your spirit, he always there when you needed him and he always had your back. I feel like I’ve lost my brother, I love him so much.”

Fighting back tears, Kristen, 30, described Caleb as a “much loved” member of their family, and someone who was “bright and vibrant” no matter the situation.

Major Crash Investigators, Police and Emergency service crews at the scene of the crash on the corner of Wingate Road, Angle Vale Road and Dalkeith Road, Hillier. Picture: Emma Brasier

Memorial Flowers left by Caleb McCabe’s loved ones. Picture: Emma Brasier

“He was always the life of a party. Whenever you were down he’d make you happy,” she said.

“He’s been a big part of our family four the last few years, we looked after him and we loved him. He’ll always be loved by us no matter what.”

Samantha, 21, said Caleb was a person who would light up any room.

“No matter what mood you were in, when he was there, the whole mood would just change and you’d just be happy. He was always making jokes,” she said.

Mr McCabe’s immediate family live in Queensland and his partner was unable to attend the scene.

Mr McCabe was the sole occupant of the blue Holden Commodore ute.

The car crashed into the front yard of a property. The home’s occupant, who did not want to be named, said she was woken by her barking dogs.

The car involved in a fatal crash at Hillier on Saturday is towed from the scene. The ute hit a tree, killing the 24-year-old male driver. Picture: Emma Brasier

“I didn’t hear the impact, but I went to let my dogs out of the front fence and saw the car there,” she said.

She then saw the ute crashed into a tree in the front yard – the latest of eight crashes she knew of at the intersection over the past six months.

“It was only when I walked around and saw him in the car that I freaked out and rushed inside to call the police,” she said.

Major Crash investigators attended the scene and Angle Vale Road was closed to traffic for several hours.

The road has now been reopened.

This year’s lives lost toll stands at 33, two more than at the same time last year.