Friends and family of a Solihull teenager killed in a car crash have paid tribute to “a great man”.
David Carpenter, aged 18, died in the early hours of Sunday morning after the Skoda he was travelling in smashed into a street sign in Shirley and overturned.
Another 18-year-old male passenger from Acocks Green suffered minor injuries, as did the driver – a 17-year-old youth from Solihull.
“He had loads of friends and was really popular,” said one of his former school friends from Lyndon School. “The funeral is going to be packed.”
While David’s parents and younger sister tried to come to terms with the news, 30 of his friends gathered the night after the accident on the stretch of road where he was killed, to pay tribute to the teenager.
“We all went for a drink afterwards to remember him, but it was really strange. It hasn’t sunk in,” a friend said.
Bunches of flowers were left by the side of the road, alongside the goalkeeper gloves that he wore for football matches. Former team-mates left photos of their football squad.
“We played together in the school team,” said another friend. “He went on to study sport at Solihull College, and was going to join the army in February. He will be really missed.”
A Facebook page set up by Lee Tabbz in tribute to the Olton teenager described him as “a great man, who always knew how to put a smile on people’s faces, but most of all, a great friend”.
One friend wrote: “Dave was a top lad. I’m sure like me a lot of people have fond memories of him not only as a person but as a great friend. Whether it was playing football, in class, or away from school, David Carpenter was a legend.”
Police are appealing for witnesses. Anybody who can help should contact 0845 1135000.
