A young man who was due to become a dad for the first time has died in a horror motorbike crash just days before Christmas, leaving his pregnant partner devastated.
Lewis Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene of the horror crash in Burnley, Lancs, on December 23.
The 22-year-old had been out riding with friends when his bike collided with a red Toyota Yaris just before 1pm, police said.
Tragically, it was his step-daughter's birthday.
In an emotional statement, his heartbroken girlfriend Kayleigh Ruth revealed she is pregnant with the couple's child together, which would have been his first.
She said he was looking forward to becoming a father for the first time.
Kayleigh said: "Lewis was a well-loved step-dad, boyfriend and daddy to be.
"I’m due to give birth to our daughter in March and Lewis couldn’t wait to be a dad.
"He was a happy, outgoing person who was always smiling and would help anyone."
Emergency services were called at around 12.55pm to reports of a collision, Lancashire Police said.
Lewis was found with serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later, despite the best efforts of medics.
He is believed to have been riding in convoy with other riders when his bike collided with the car.
Police said at the time the rest of the convoy made off from the scene and when officers attended the motorbike had also been removed.
It has since been recovered.
Kayleigh added: “On the morning of his step-daughter’s birthday he went on a day out with his friends on his bike. He never came home.
“He will be sadly missed by everyone and life will never be the same again.
"Lewis will always be in our hearts each and every single day.
"I will always make sure our baby girl knows who her dad was. I will always love you Lewis.”
Officers appealed for witnesses or anyone with dash cam or CCTV footage to call them on 101.
PC Marc Saysell, of Lancashire Police, said: “A young man lost his life as a result of this collision and my thoughts remain with his loved ones.
“I would ask anybody who witnessed the collision and has not yet been spoken to by police, or anyone who has dashcam or CCTV showing the collision, to contact us.”
