The partner of Calwell man Brian Basera has remembered him as "one of a kind" and vowed to raise their 16-month-old son into the man his father would have wanted him to be.
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Mr Basera, 29, was killed when his car crashed into the back of a truck parked on the side of the Monaro Highway near Gilmore on Thursday morning.
Family and friends have spoken of their shock at his death and paid tribute to Mr Basera, who left behind partner Anisha Owusu and their toddler son Christopher.
Ms Owusu on Friday described Mr Basera as her best friend and "the best that I could have ever asked for".
"The bond between him and our son was amazing. He captured so many people's hearts.
She said his personality made him "one of a kind".
"Not a day will pass where I don't cherish his memory and wish that he was still with us today.
"He was always giving, generous and easygoing. He was always smiling. He had the biggest heart."
"I wish things would have gone differently but for now but I will do my best to raise our son into the man he would have wanted him to be."
Mr Basera was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, and spent six months at St Mary MacKillop College in Tuggeranong during a trip to Canberra in 2001.
He returned to the capital permanently in 2003 when he was 17. He went on to become a self-employed cleaner and ran his own company, Alite Cleaning.
His friend Joe Pivac met Mr Basera in a Year 9 woodwork class and said the pair formed a close bond.
"We both weren't from wealthy or rich families so we found more similarities in the aim of achieving better in our own lives and those around us."
Mr Pivac said his friend was approachable, with a cheeky sense of humour, and would be remembered as the life of the party. He said those who knew the young father were in shock.
"I think the word being used the most is 'numb'," he said.
Police are still investigating the cause of the crash but believed speed could have been a factor. A report is being prepared for the coroner.
Mr Basera's death brought the ACT road toll for this year to seven.
Family members and friends created an online fundraising page to set aside money for Mr Basera's son Christopher on Friday.
More than 130 people had donated nearly $12,000 for the toddler within several hours of its launch.
A statement on the page said Mr Basera was a family man who cared for his partner and son "more than anything" and "loved living life to the fullest".
"He would do anything for his friends. He will not be forgotten."
A remembrance service for Mr Basera will take place at Eternity Church in Kambah on Sunday.
