Dean Mathias: Friends and family pay tribute to Moruya mechanic who died in horror Princes Highway crash
A mechanic who didn’t tie the knot with his lifelong love in a year has tragically died in a horror accident, sparking a flood of tributes.
Dean Mathias, 25, and his beloved dog Axl died Thursday after his Holden Colorado car rolled onto the Princes Highway near Moruya on the NSW south coast.
His friends and family were shocked by his sudden death, calling him a “mechanical genius” and one of the best mechanics in the region.
Of everyone devastated by Dean’s death, his fiancée Libby Williams was one of those most affected.
The couple had met in high school and were due to marry in Tuross Heads in October next year.
Tributes have been paid to a mechanic, Dean Mathias (pictured), who was tragically killed in a car accident alongside his dog Axl (right)
Dean was due to marry Libby Williams (both pictured) in October next year. Ms Williams described him as ‘charming, smart and hardworking’
The couple also celebrated both October birthdays.
Mr Mathias attended numerous schools on the south coast before moving to Canberra to refine his trade as a mechanic.
He returned to the South Coast to start his own company, DM Diesel Mechanics, and was ready to enter a new phase of his life with Mrs. Williams.
“We had so many plans for the future, we were well on our way to achieving them,” said Ms. Williams South Coast News.
She described her fiancé as “charming, smart and hardworking” in a heartbreaking tribute.
Mr. Mathias was also an avid outdoorsman. He spent time outside on the beach with his dogs, on his four-wheeler, or working on something mechanical.
He could also be found in his “awesome” shed, entertaining friends, listening to music and retouching their cars while laughing.
“Dean had such a big heart,” said Mrs. WIlliams.
“There are no words for this loss and what it means to me.”
A GoFundMe for Dean’s family has already raised over $6,500 to help his grieving family through this heartbreaking ordeal
Dean’s numerous friends also paid tribute to their late partner, with many expressing shock and disbelief at his sudden death.
“Rest assured my brother, there is no way you are gone,” one person wrote on social media.
“You’re on to bigger and better things now, mate, it’s been a pleasure knowing you, brother.”
“I honestly have no words for my brother, I wish this was just a nightmare,” wrote a second.
“RIP brother, forever and ever in everyone’s heart,” a third wrote.
Good friend Lottie Cooper wrote a similarly touching tribute on Facebook.
“We all love you so much. Your wife is broken, your family is broken, and I miss you so much. Thank you for being in our lives, even for this shortest time.
“You and Axl take care of each other, my dear friend.”
Mrs. Cooper started one GoFundMe to help Dean’s family through the ordeal, who have already raised more than $6,500 of the $10,000 goal.
“Anyone who knew Dean knew he had a huge heart coupled with the biggest personality,” Ms Cooper wrote.
“At the beginning of his life he was a smart and caring young man. We should attend his wedding, not his funeral.
“This has been a devastating, unexpected loss and many hearts have been broken.”