Passenger in fatal car crash had 'heart of gold'
SuppliedThe family of a 20-year-old man who died after a crash which left a car on its roof said he had a "heart of gold" and "a smile that lit up a thousand skies".
Lewis Smith, from South Shields, was a passenger in a Mercedes A Class which Durham Police believe struck the central reservation on the A1(M) near Chester-le-Street at 22.50 BST on Sunday.
He was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle but died on Monday afternoon.
His family said they were "heartbroken" describing him as "a beautiful, sparkly blue-eyed boy" and "the glue that kept our family together".
In a tribute, they added: "He will be deeply missed by his dad (Smeg), mam, Kristen, his nine-year-old little sister, Esmée, his two older brothers, Stephen and Ryan, his five-year-old niece, Revada, his grandparents, uncles and aunties, cousins, as well as all his friends and the people he knew."
"We all love you, son - you will stay in our hearts and thoughts forever."
The driver, 20-year-old Jordan Orrock, also from South Shields, died at the scene with his family describing him as the "life and soul of the party who lit up every room he walked into".
A second passenger, a man also aged 20, was seriously injured and was taken to hospital for treatment.
