THE mother of a teenager killed in a tragic car crash has paid tribute to the son who filled their family's lives with “joy, liveliness and laughter”.

Estate agent Erikas Eicas, known as Eric, died after a car he was a passenger in, driven by drink driver Kurt Beagrie, crashed into a tree.

Tributes flooded in after the news of Eric, 19, from Halstead’s, death was broken.

He was described by his boss at Colchester firm Michaels Property Consultants as a “star in the making”, having offered to work for free during the pandemic.

Gazette: Missed - Erikas EicasMissed - Erikas Eicas (Image: Family handout)

READ MORE >> Drink driver who crashed into tree at 80mph and killed friend in fatal journey jailed

A statement read on behalf of his mother at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday told of a "charming" young man.

She wrote: “In the past our house was filled with joy, liveliness and laughter and now our house is an empty, quiet, miserable place to be.


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“Eric was a beautiful boy inside and out. He was smart, kind, respectful and helpful, very friendly and generous.”

She added: “I just wish Eric knew before he got into Kurt’s car that night he would not only kill Eric but he killed me, our family and our happiness.

“I will forever live in a vicious cycle of thinking: ‘What if?’.”