Family of Tharston crash victim William Pererra pay tribute to 'life and soul of the party' dad-of-three

A bereaved family have paid tribute to a father-of-three who died in a road traffic collision last year.

William Pererra was killed on the evening of November 9, 2021, when his grey Audi TT collided with a tree along Forncett Road in Tharston.

Following an inquest at Norfolk Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, Mr Pererra’s family described the 36-year-old steel erector as a devoted and loving father who was the “life and soul of the party”.

In a statement, they said: “William was a friend to everyone; that person you could count on in an emergency.

“He would always be there for his family and friends.

“The life and soul of the party, he was the man who would put everything aside if you needed his time.

“William loved people and his happy place was always being surrounded by his friends and family, his partner of 17 years, Sophie, and his three beautiful children, who were the most important people in his life.”

London-born Mr Pererra had worked as a steel erector for several years, then becoming a support worker while working in assessment treatment and helping people with mental health issues.

Latterly, he had been working for Waveney Pumps, a mechanical engineering firm based in Norwich.

A coroner ruled on Wednesday that Mr Pererra had died at the scene of the accident, which was close to his home, from a skull fracture and chest wall injury.

Following his death, a fundraiser was set up by family friend, Kennedy Mercer, which raised more than £5,000 for his surviving partner and children.

In a statement on the fundraising page, Mr Mercer wrote: “It was a tragic accident that has affected their family, the children’s school, and the community as a whole.

“If we can bring any smiles, comfort or happiness to my friend and her three amazing strong children, we’ve hopefully helped prove the world isn’t always cruel.”