Dean Mathias: Tributes flow for Tuross Heads man, Moruya mechanic killed in tragic crash

Tributes are flowing for a “charming and hardworking” mechanic who tragically died in a crash on the state’s south coast.

Dean Mathias was set to marry his fiance Libby Williams in October next year in Tuross.

A ‘mechanical genius’, avid motocross rider and animal lover has been remembered as a charming and hardworking man, after losing his life in a tragic crash outside Moruya on Thursday.

Tuross Heads man and owner of DM Diesel Mechanics Dean Mathias was travelling along the Princes Hwy, near Percy Davis Dr, when his Holden Colorado ute rolled. The 25-year-old man died at the scene.

Mr Mathias had been counting down the months to marry his fiance Libby Williams.

However, the heartbreaking incident has seen her pay tribute to her “charming, smart and hard working” partner.

“We had so many plans for the future,” she said. “We were well on our way to achieving them too.”

Libby Williams said Dean had a "big heart".

The wedding was planned for October next year at Tuross, with the date picked for a special reason.

“We both have October birthdays, so we call it our special month,” Ms Williams said.

Friends of Dean said he was a great bloke.

But before Mr Mathias met the love of his life and became a talented mechanic, he was a great student at a number of schools along the south coast.

According to Ms Williams, Dean attended schools in Eden, Bombala and Narooma before he moved to Canberra where he studied mechanics.

After gaining his qualification, Ms Williams said he became the smartest mechanic on the coast.

“He worked so hard to be what I would call a mechanical genius,” she said. “If it had an engine and moving parts, he could master it.”

Dean Mathias was killed when his ute rolled outside Moruya yesterday.

Mr Mathias was also an avid motocross rider and loved four-wheel-driving.

“If he wasn’t working, he liked taking our dogs to the beach, four-wheel-driving and he enjoyed mechanical stuff as a hobby as well as work,” she said. “He didn’t really watch much TV, he couldn’t sit through an ad break.”

After a long day’s work, Mr Mathias would sit down in his sheds with mates, chatting and catching up.

“He had an absolutely awesome shed,” Ms Williams said. “He would have his friends around and laugh, play music and work on their cars. Dean had such a big heart.”

Ms Williams said the loss of Dean was something she may never recover from.

“There are no words for this loss and what it means to me,” she said.

Dean met Libby when they were only in high school.

Mr Mathias’ mother Angela Mathias said he grew up with a massive love for animals.

“He had horses, guinea pigs, dogs, a cat, he just loved people, animals, everything,” she said. “You would never meet a more caring person.”

Growing up in Narooma, Mr Mathias quickly found a love for motorbikes and all things mechanical.

“My father, Dean’s grandad, was a mechanic too and he really showed Dean how rewarding it can be,” Ms Mathias said.

“He was always in the shed with him tinkering and he ended up getting his first apprenticeship at only 15-years-old.”

Friend’s of Mr Mathias have also paid tribute to the young man “gone to soon” on social media, with mate Jack Ceeney saying Dean would always be remembered.

“RIP brother, forever and always in everyone’s heart,” he posted on social media.

Egan Ellis remembered Dean as a “great bloke”.

“I am honestly lost for words brother,” he said on social media. “Wishing this was just a nightmare.”

A family friend who wished to remain nameless out of respect, said Dean was incredibly eager to marry Ms Williams.

“He loved her so much and was so ready to marry her,” they said. “This is just such an absolutely awful tragedy and I, along with all his mates, are just heartbroken.”