The fiancée of a biker who was killed in a hit-and-run has spoken of the “heartbreaking” pain of having to plan his funeral instead of their wedding.
Tyre fitter Craig Voyce died in hospital following a collision with a car on Friday night.
The 23-year-old was engaged to childhood sweetheart Danielle Eyles and the pair had three children together – Rocky-Lee, five, Craig junior, two, and one-year-old Summer-Rose.
“Everything has shut down,” admitted Danielle, 25, who first met Craig when he moved into a house opposite her mum’s in Dagenham.
“The kids have picked a star for daddy, each night they say goodnight to the star. It’s unthinkable they will have to grow up without him.
“We should be planning our wedding now, not a funeral. It’s heartbreaking.”
Craig proposed to Danielle on Boxing Day last year.
“It had been a running joke that he would put a ring on my finger and a child in my belly but it had taken him three kids to find a ring,” she added.
A keen biker, it had been Craig’s dream to own a motorbike from an early age.
Danielle says he was acting as normal before he left home to see a friend on Friday night.
“He was being his usual self, dancing around the room and play-fighting with the boys,” she recalled.
“I always said the same thing before he went out, ‘Take care. See you soon. I love you.”
Craig’s mum, Annlorraine Voyce, who lives in Mayfield Road, Dagenham, has been left distraught by his death.
“I just broke down with grief, but I’ve got to be strong for my four other kids,” the 48-year-old said.
“He was a great dad and everyone loved him to bits. The family is really hurting.
“Rest in peace son – I’ll always miss you.”
Although Craig moved from Dagenham to Southend three years ago, she says her son’s heart always firmly remained in his hometown.
“He was definitely a Dagenham boy, he was always visiting friends here,” she said.
Friends and family have left flowers, balloons, candles and heartfelt messages near The Ship pub in Gidea Park, close to where the crash happened.
Ben Adams, who has set up a fundraising page to raise £2.000 towards Craig’s funeral, wrote online: “Those that knew Craig will know that he was one of a kind.
“He has left a mark on all those that got the chance to know him. He will be missed dearly.”
A 51-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving and has been released on bail until later this month.
To donate towards Craig’s funeral, click here.
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