Family of Romsey hit-and-run crash victim Steven Johnson pay tribute

Last night the parents of Steven Johnson, who died in a hit-and-run crash, opened their hearts to the Daily Echo to pay tribute to the 20- year-old who they described as “the life and soul of the party”.

James Johnson and Ange Dandridge told how Steven had been “over the moon” at the prospect of becoming a father for the second time.

Nicknamed Stevey J, he had a one-year-old son from a previous relationship and was due to become a father for the second time in September with girlfriend Sarah Mould.

But Steven was killed when he was hit by a car while walking on the A3057 at Romsey on Friday night.

The driver did not stop.

Mum Ange, 44, of Orion Close, Lordshill, said: “I’m obviously devastated. It’s something that all of us will never get over.

“You don’t expect your son to die before his parents. He had his whole life ahead of him.”

Dad James, 46, added: “I feel angry because I have lost my son – no-one deserves to be left by the side of a road at any age.”

“If I could swap places I’d rather be the one dead on the side of the road – I’ve had 46 years, he’s had 20.”

Born and brought up in Millbrook, Steven was a pupil at Redbridge Infant School and Redbridge Community School.

For the past two years he had lived with his dad in Banning Street, Romsey. His parents are divorced.

Recalling her son, Ange said: “He liked to be the life and soul of the party. He was a right old lad, but at the end of the day everybody liked Steven, he just had a likeable personality.”

James said that Steven, whom he described as a “loveable boy” doted on his one-year-old son Lewi Pike and was looking forward to becoming a father again.

“He was over the moon,” he said.

“That’s all he dreamed about was having a family. The night he walked in with his baby’s scan picture, I’ve never seen him so happy.”

Younger brother Sam Johnson, 17, added: “You wouldn’t ever forget him once you’ve met him, he made his mark.”

Steven was working for his father, a self-employed fencer, and the two had stopped at The Saints pub in Millbrook for a few drinks after work on the fateful evening.

James left around 9.30pm and told his son he would see him later but Steven was killed instantly when he was hit by a Vauxhall Astra shortly after 10.30pm.

Following a police appeal, a 74- year-old pensioner from Romsey came forward and is helping police with their inquiries.

He and his front-seat passenger, a 76-year-old woman, also from Romsey, were uninjured in the incident.

James said he had been up to see the dozens of flowers left at the scene, which he said “broke my heart”, but had not been able to bring himself to look at the dozens of messages of condolence that have poured in on social networking sites.

Chinese lanterns have been released in Steven’s memory at locations in Romsey and Millbrook in the past few days.

One of the tributes left to Steven Johnson

• Steven’s funeral service will be at Romsey Abbey at midday on May 9, followed by a cremation at Southampton Crematorium at 1.15pm. Everyone who knew Steven is welcome.