Ryan Egan was a funny, smart and popular year 12 student from the NSW Hunter region who could not wait for his 18th birthday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But early on Sunday the Kurri Kurri High School student made a mistake that cost him his life.
The P-plater lost control of his car at a roundabout on Lang Street, Kurri Kurri, about 1.30am.
The Honda CRV left the road and rolled several times, hitting an electricity junction box and several awning supports outside a shop before coming to a halt on its side, police said.
The crash occurred just minutes from his family's home.
Ryan had been at a party on Saturday night before mates decided to drive him home.
But then he decided to go driving by himself, friends said. The accident occurred a short time after.
Kurt Leslie said he heard the crash from his house and ran outside to see what had happened.
"[When I found out it was Ryan] I just couldn't breathe; I just thought this could not be happening," he said.
Friends and family visited the site throughout the day on Sunday, laying bouquets of flowers to pay tribute to the teenager who "loved life".
A large group of Ryan's closest mates wrote notes and put them in a bottle that was placed among the flowers.
One of Ryan's best friends, Josh Stig, 18, said they were all gutted.
"He was like my brother," Josh said. "I can't imagine life without him, he was the best person."
He said Ryan was enjoying his final year at school and the freedom of being able to drive.
"He was a smart kid who got good grades," Josh said. "He loved every sport, he was very athletic.
"He was funny and so positive; he didn't have a negative thing to say about anything."
Another friend, Seamus Townsend, said Ryan was extremely loyal to those he cared about.
"He loved his family, he'd do anything for his family – and the same thing went for his mates," he said.
"Nothing could ever dampen his spirits, he was always happy."
It was a sentiment shared by another of Ryan's close friends, Aaron O'Driscoll.
"He was really looking forward to turning 18," he said.
"He was the kind of guy who would do anything for anyone."
Brooke Cleary, 17, and Amber Duncan, 18, laid bouquets of flowers to pay their respects to Ryan's family.
"He was one energetic dude who loved life," Brooke said. "He was taken too young."
Amber said the tragedy would hit the town hard.
"We're a strong community and a close community but this is going to hurt us," she said.
Mykaela King, 15, said she did not know Ryan but wanted to place some flowers out for him because she went to his school where everyone knew him to be a great person.
"He was just known for being funny and making people laugh," she said.
Central Hunter duty officer Inspector Glenn Blain said police were still investigating the factors behind the crash on Sunday.
