Tributes flow for Adelaide footballer Daniel Wood after state’s 16th fatal crash

Family and friends have paid tribute to a 35-year-old footballer who died in a horror crash when his car hit a pole and was “cut in half”.

A footballer has been remembered for his “heart of gold” after he died in a car accident in Adelaide on Monday morning.

Daniel Wood, 35, was involved in a single-vehicle crash on Uley Rd at One Tree Hill about 1.30am on Monday.

“The Holden station wagon failed to negotiate a bend and hit a pole, the impact splitting the car in half,” police said.

“Sadly, the driver, a 35-year-old One Tree Hill man, died at the scene.”

Gumeracha footballer Daniel Wood has been remembered for his ‘heart of gold’ on and off the field. Picture: Facebook

Heartbreaking tributes have since flooded social media for the Gumeracha player, with the club remembering the star player and coach for his achievements on and off the field.

“Sometimes there just aren’t the right words,” the club wrote on Facebook.

“How do you do justice to honour the memory of a guy like Woody?

“He was a loyal, loveable member of the Magpie family with a heart of gold, and our hearts are broken to lose him.”

Hope Valley Football Club paid tribute to the “club champion” in a Facebook post on Tuesday morning.

“Tough as nails on the field and such a fun loving guy off it, he was an extremely popular member of the group and a friend to everyone,” the club wrote.

Mr Wood’s uncle Benn (left) paid tribute to his ‘exceptional nephew’ on Facebook. Picture: Facebook

Mr Wood’s uncle Benn paid a heartfelt tribute to his “exceptional nephew”, remembering him for his “unwavering loyalty” and compassion.

“ … Forever wearing a warm smile and always standing ready to lend a supportive hand to anyone in need, a true embodiment of hope and inspiration, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts …” he wrote on Facebook.

“Words can’t describe the pain we are feeling you will be in our hearts always & forever.”

Mr Wood’s death marks the 16th road fatality in South Australia this year, following a head-on collision on the same road on January 31.

Sam Philp, 49, was driving his two children to school when his black Volkswagen collided with a white Holden on Uley Rd, near Beatrix Dr, at Craigmore.

Mr Philp died and his children were treated for minor injuries.

“Two tragedies in two weeks, it’s about time that they did something to (the road),” One Tree Hill resident Barbara Broomhead told Nine.

“Our hearts go out to them.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas said the government wanted to avoid going backwards this year after South Australia’s road toll improved “dramatic(ally)” in 2024.

“Unfortunately, January and February so far this year haven’t been good,” he said on Monday.

Mr Malinauskas said staying safe on the road was ultimately the driver’s responsibility.

“There’s only so much government can do when it comes to road safety,” he said.

“Advertising campaigns, infrastructure improvements, car makers making their vehicles … we can do all these things, but ultimately the single biggest determinant of whether or not someone lives on the road or not is drivers paying attention.

“That’s the big issue.”