Aziz Alhanyan: Smithfield fatal crash, tributes

Tributes are flooding in to a much loved soccer coach and mechanic who died after being hit by a truck in Sydney’s west last week.

A community is in mourning following the tragic death of a young man who was struck and killed by a truck driver in Sydney’s west.

Aziz Alhanyan died last Thursday night after he was hit while attending to his broken down van on the Cumberland Highway at Smithfield.

Aziz Alhanyan has been identified as the victim of last week’s fatal Smithfield crash. Picture: Facebook

Police say the 32-year-old was standing in front of his vehicle at about 8.30pm when a truck driven by 41-year-old Joseph Paul Winters crashed into the van.

Mr Alhanyan tragically died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency crews.

Tributes have been flowing online for the much-loved soccer coach and mechanic.

Police say Mr Alhanyan was attending to his broken down van on the Cumberland Hwy at Smithfield when the tragedy unfolded. Picture: Facebook

Originally from Iraq, Mr Alhanyan is being remembered by loved ones in Australia and abroad.

“I swear I will not forget you ... you are my brother, not my nephew,” one mourner wrote online.

“I knew Aziz, he’s my mechanic, I’m so sorry Aziz. May Allah forgive you. My deepest condolences to his lovely family. So tragic,” another wrote.

The much-loved soccer coach and mechanic is being remembered fondly by family and friends. Picture: Facebook

“May Allah have mercy on you, Aziz, and be good to you,” another tribute read.

Mr Alhanyan’s male passenger, who was seated in the front seat of the van at the time of the collision, was treated at the crash scene and taken to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition.

Mr Winters has been charged with dangerous and negligent driving occasioning death and was released on bail on Friday.

He will return to court in June.