Young father Jacob Catlin, killed in White Hills crash, to be honoured with special family tribute
A young central Victorian father killed in a crash in Bendigo at the weekend has been remembered as a selfless and supporting person who lit up every room he walked into.
Jacob Catlin, 19, died when the car he was a passenger in veered from the road and into a business yard on Powell St in White Hills about 9.30am on Sunday, police allege.
Long Gully local Catlin, a father to two sons both younger than two, died at the scene.
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“We’re only six weeks apart in age and are really close, everyone thought we were twins,” she told 7NEWS.com.au.
Robinson joked she bossed Catlin around the playground as the senior family figure but said Catlin “always had my back and was always the first to help me out”.
“We were inseparable. There’s really no words to describe what we had. It was amazing,” she said.
“He made me a better person. He told me I was strong, that he was proud of me and always had his arm around me.”
Robinson said she collapsed to the floor when first told the devastating news her nephew had died.
“It’s very tough. It doesn’t seem real. We were born six weeks apart, he was like the brother I never had,” she said.
Catlin had a passion for cars and bikes and wanted to study to break into the automotive industry.
“He had a big heart, was generous and always put others before himself,” Robinson said.
Robinson, who is pregnant, is planning a special tribute to her nephew.
She told 7NEWS.com.au her son, who is due in November, will have the middle name Jacob.
“Jacob was very excited. My son would have been his cousin but (Jacob) definitely would have taken on the role of big uncle,” she said.
Catlin’s family have created a memorial at the crash site for friends and loved ones to visit.
His aunty Brooke Morley has also launched a fundraising campaign to help the young father’s family experiencing an “unfathomable loss”.
“In this unimaginably difficult time we are coming together to support (Catlin’s mum Rochelle) and help alleviate some of the financial burdens she now faces such as funeral expenses and time off work as (family) grieve,” Morley said.
A 24-year-old Eaglehawk man has been charged with dangerous driving causing death in relation to the crash.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers.
