Helensburgh crash driver Lachlan Scipione, 25, dies in hospital

Lachlan Scipione, 25, was at the wheel of a Nissan Skyline that ploughed into a parked tipper truck on Walker Street about 2am Sunday. 

His passenger, Stanwell Tops 18-year-old Reuben Martin, died in the wreckage. 

At St George Hospital on Tuesday, Mr Scipione also succumbed to his injuries. 

The tragedy has shattered the men’s wide northern Illawarra network, which includes many shared friends and sporting teammates. 

One of Mr Martin’s brothers and a friend to Mr Scipione, Nathan Martin, is among those who have paid tribute to the men online. 

“R.I.P Skip,” he wrote, in a post to Facebook yesterday. 

“Not only did I lose a brother this week but I also lost one of my best mates. Take care of each other up there brothers.”

Friends have described Mr Scipione as “kind hearted” and “always there for his friends”.

 Jose Martinez wrote: “Lachlan Scipione I have always regarded you like a little brother. With such a beautiful soul. So kind, caring and intelligent. Brozie you had the biggest smile and you loved to surf, but you where also a very loving older brother two younger brothers and a loving brother to your sisters. I will always remember you.”

The force of the crash pushed the truck uphill, into a power pole. 

Residents rushed from their homes in a bid to help the men. Mr Scipione was airlifted to St George Hospital, where his family has remained at his side. 

A witness to the aftermath of the crash, Alex Baker, said the tragedy served as “a massive wake up call for everyone in our little community impacted by this horrific accident”.

“The two broken bodies entangled in the wreckage were two of our brothers that did not deserve this fate,” Ms Baker wrote, on Facebook.

“If speed was the cause of this accident, the boys weren't the first and certainly won't be the last to speed on our roads. I can only ask that the next time your mates are speeding or too drunk to drive, tell them to slow down or even take their keys away.

“The crash is a heartbreaking image that is now burnt into my memory, obviously going into further detail of what I witnessed on Sunday morning is too graphic and personal to post but I hope your imagination scares you enough to slow down.”

Officers from Crash Investigation Unit are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.