Tributes are flooding social media after a teenage soldier and keen motor sports fan from Stevenage was tragically killed and his passenger left seriously injured in hospital after a crash in Stevenage during the early hours of yesterday morning.
Bryce Donovan, 19, died after his black Suzuki Swift hit a road sign on Lytton Way, opposite the town’s police station shortly after midnight. Sarah Hester, 17, was rushed to Addenbroke’s Hospital in Cambridge with serious injuries to her pelvis.
Bryce, a former pupil at the Da Vinci Studio School in Stevenage and North Herts College, was forging a career in the British Army.
Yesterday friends gathered at the scene and left a carpet of floral tributes.
At a vigil last night they set off Chinese lanterns at the scene.
Friends have set up a crowdfunding page where people can donate to Bryce’s funeral costs, which has raised more than £3,600 towards an initial £5,000 target.
Bryce’s friend Connor Skelsey set up the page after talking to the ex-Da Vinci pupil’s mum.
Connor wrote on the page: “All of you that know Bryce know that he was the life of any party. He always knew how to make people laugh and his memory and character will live on among us all.
“I have set this page up within discussion with Bryce’s mother. Many of us would like to contribute to his send-off and here you can. At just 19 Bryce’s life was taken from him. Let’s all give generously and give him the send-off he deserves.”
To donate to the fund, see www.gofundme.com/Bryced.
Bryce’s friend Luke Montague posted on facebook: “I can’t believe that this morning my one and only best friend Bryce Donovan has been taken from us at such a young age.
“I remember as if was yesterday me and Bryce going down Bowes (Bowes Lyon skate park) on our rollerblades trying to be better then each other or doing silly stuff, but all of that wouldn’t have made mine and Bryce’s friendship so strong, in 10 years we have never argued we’ve never not spoken to each other because we both knew that we was always going to be there for each other.
RIP my angel you’ll be missed by everyone here love you bro.”
Bryony Williamson, vice-principal at Da Vinci, said: “Bryce was a popular student with a large group of friends who will sorely miss him.
“We will remember his humour, his caring nature and in particular his creativity with photography.
“Our sincere condolences are with his family and friends at this sad time.”
Bryce was a keen fan of motocross and other motor sports and frequently posted pictures related to them on his Facebook page.
Police are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the crash and are appealing for anyone who saw the black Suzuki Swift before or at the time of the incident to get in touch. Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting ISR 4 of December 14.
An inquest into Bryce’s death will be opened in due course.
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