‘I held him as if he were mine’: Tragedy as much-loved Perth boy dies in crash

Dylan is remembered for being a warm, kind and generous person.

A teenager has tragically died following a horror car crash in Western Australia.

Dylan Soklich, 16, was a passenger in a Toyota Corolla, driven by a 17yo P-plater and accompanied by an 18yo friend. 

At roughly 8.40pm on Wednesday evening, the car was travelling down Williams Road in Gooseberry Hill, Perth, before steering off the road, rolling several times and hitting a nearby tree. 

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Dylan died after a horror car crash on Wednesday evening. Picture: The West Australian

Teen dies after car crashes into tree

Witnesses of the crash described the scenes as they rushed to assist the boys in the wrecked car. 

One resident, who was doing yoga nearby, recalled hearing the sound of a car’s accelerator screeching followed by a loud bang.

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“I got here, and the one in the back, the boy in the back, was most injured,” said Robyn, a local who witnessed the event to 9News. 

“So, we just went to him straight away and supported him.”

Dylan was rushed to St John of God Hospital but tragically could not be revived. 

The other passenger and driver were flown to the Royal Perth Hospital, where they remain in serious but stable condition. 

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It’s understood Dylan was wearing a seatbelt during the accident.

“[My son] opened his airway and I supported his head from the back of the car until the ambulance and crew arrived,” the witness said. 

While they waited for an ambulance, the local “held [Dylan] as if he was mine.”  

“It was a very sad night,” she said. 

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Dylan is remembered for being a kind and generous person. Picture: The West Australian

Perth teen was a “beautiful human being”

Witnesses recalled another person from the car, likely the driver, was feeling disordered and confused by the situation. 

“Three of the boys were badly trapped in the car,” Harry, a local told The West Australian. 

“One boy I spoke to, I believe he was the driver, was quite upset too, he didn’t know what happened, he couldn’t remember. 

“He was obviously very upset about his mates,” he added. 

Dylan is remembered for his generous spirit and loving personality; the teenager was a “really happy person” who wanted to “spread his happiness.”

According to his loved ones, the Perth teen was always surrounded by a group of friends and loved keeping active, playing netball and going for runs. 

Dylan’s family said the teenager had dreams of becoming a gymnastics teacher.

“He was loving and caring, everyone should have a person like him in their life,” said a school friend. 

“He was a beautiful human being. I sat with him every day at school.”

Originally published as ‘I held him as if he were mine’: Tragedy as much-loved Perth boy dies in crash