Jacob Donohue: Siblings Ben and Jessica share their chasm of grief

“Your laugh echoes through our ears”: The two siblings of a Tasmanian teenager who lost his life in a highway tragedy have shared their bottomless sense of despair at losing their brother.

Jessica, Ethan and Jacob Donohue at Symmons Plains Raceway during the 2004 V8 Supercars event. Picture: Supplied

The two siblings of a Tasmanian teenager who lost his life in a highway tragedy have shared their bottomless sense of despair at losing their brother.

“Your laugh echoes through our ears,” said Jessica, the younger sister of Telita teen Jacob Allen Donohue, 19, who died in the early hours of Friday morning when he was involved in a head-on accident with a truck on the Midland Hwy near Oatlands.

His 19-year-old passenger was taken to Royal Hobart Hospital in a critical condition.

Telita teen Jacob Donohue, 19, hard at work with TasHerd. Picture: Supplied

Jessica and Ben Donohue have both revealed how the loss will stay with them forever.

“My brothers are my world, they are my unit. Now my world and unit are broken,” Jessica said.

“To have received the call from the police about Jacob was a nightmare. To be the one to tell my mother and eldest brother was shattering. My family are lost but holding onto each other and our memories of Jacob.

Jacob and Ben Donohue during a 2008 camping trip. Picture: Supplied

“Jacob was always a unique individual changing himself for no one. It was his beauty and I strive to be the same as he was. His inability to lie and being black and white to everyone, gave others the trust and loyalty that we should have for one another.

Telita teen Jacob Donohue, 19. Picture: Supplied

“The memories of four-wheel driving, car trips and cricket matches, will forever be with me. “Slushies, birthdays, Christmas, Halloween and ‘miraculous ladybug’ will never be the same without you.

“Your laugh echoes through our ears and your light and smile are forever etched into our hearts.”

Ben, meanwhile, shared the last picture he took with his little brother: drinks with Jacob and his best friend Will. Jacob is depicted with a tinnie of his beloved Bundy rum in hand.

Brothers' last picture together: Ben and Jacob Donohue with Jacob's best friend Will (centre). Picture: Supplied

“No words could explain the pain my family and myself felt when we had received the news,” Ben said.

“He was an important puzzle piece of this family, which will now never feel complete.

“My brother was loyal, honest, confident and had the heart of a lion.

Siblings forever: Ben, Jacob and Jessica Donohue, on a trip to the Victorian highlands. Picture: Supplied

“At the age of 19, he was already his own boss as a herd recorder with people working under him.

“I am lucky to have many fond memories of Jacob throughout our lives. And for that he’ll always be a celebrity in my eyes.

“Jacob wasn’t just my younger brother, but my best mate for as long as I can remember. “Whenever I was up to no good, Jacob wasn’t far behind. Our bond was unbreakable.

“As much as this hurts, I know I’ll see him again.

“And till then we’ll all carry a little bit of Jacob with us.”