Ty Robinson, 19, died when his Toyota Landcruiser left the Beechworth-Wodonga Road and hit a tree about 7.30pm.

Mr Robinson, who worked as a mechanic, grew up in Beechworth and moved to Wangaratta for work.

Family friend Gary Craven said the news had come as a shock to Beechworth residents and left many in the town devastated.

“It’s tragic, it’s no good at all,” he said.

“He loved his footy, his camping, his motorbikes and hanging out with his dad.”

“He was a great kid.”

Mr Craven said Mr Robinson, known as “TJ” by many, had played several seasons for the Beechworth football and cricket clubs.

“Unfortunately there have been a few crashes here in the last six or seven years, and it always seems to be the young ones,” he said.

Mr Craven said he believed he was close to finishing a mechanical apprenticeship and had moved to Wangaratta about 12 months ago.

Family friend Luke Whybrow described his passing as “just a bloody shame”.

The crash occurred about four kilometres from Beechworth and police believed Mr Robinson fell asleep at the wheel while travelling south.

The vehicle was towed from the scene and Beechworth police were continuing to investigate the incident.

Officers believed speed and alcohol were not involved and were yesterday awaiting toxicology results.

“The vehicle will be mechanically checked,” Leading Sen-Constable Halena Chandler said.

“It appears that he may have fallen asleep.”

There were no brake marks at the scene of the crash.

Mr Robinson’s father, Jeff, is well known in the area for his work as an Australian rules umpire.

His mother, Carla Malsem, lives in Tasmania, and he has an older sister Brooke.

Source: Border Mail