A teenager who loved “anything with wheels” and died when riding his motorcycle this week is being remembered as an “absolute legend” with the kindest heart.
Kyle Von Paleske’s family say he lived his life to the fullest and made the most of every day and opportunity, before his life was cut short on Monday.
The 19-year-old was riding near Perth Airport when his Kawasaki collided with a truck at the intersection of Kalamunda and Abernethy.
“He lived more in 19 years than many would in a lifetime. He was the kindest and most loving person, fiercely loyal and put 100 per cent effort into everything. He loved his family, girlfriend, his dog and anything with wheels,” the family shared in a statement to The West.“We’ll miss his unlimited energy, passion and care. We’ll miss the highly animated stories, crazy laugh and mischievous grin. We’ll miss watching his skills, incredible riding ability and his sense of adventure.
“No matter the day he’d had, Kyle would come bounding through the door with a smile and a story to tell.
“Brother, son, grandson and partner. Kyle Von Paleske, we love you forever.”
Mr Von Paleske was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital after the collision on Monday afternoon but couldn’t be saved. The truck driver was uninjured.
As major crash investigators examine what happened, loved ones have shared the heartbreak with younger brother Ben calling him an “absolute legend” with “the kindest heart”.
His sister, Emily, said there were “no words” to describe the loss of her “baby brother”.
“Life won’t ever feel the same,” she said.
Ben Von Paleske shared clips from the night before the crash of them motorcycling together, saying he was struggling to accept the reality of his brother being gone.
“This was just last night, I had no idea this would be the last thing I did with him so just please appreciate every moment. This doesn’t even feel real but f*** I wish I could rewind time I actually don’t know what to do,” he wrote.
In words written over a photo of the brothers together in their younger years, he revealed their close bond and the lifelong admiration he had for his big brother.
“K Man was the man. He would come bouncing in, making jokes and (being) loud whether you liked it or not, he didn’t care what people thought he just did it. K Man always had the best stories to tell, always looked out for others and was just a pure, kind, legend of a person,” he wrote.
“He didn’t deserve to go this soon and if there was anything I could do to change it, I would. He was the best brother I could’ve asked for, he taught me so much and we had so many good times.
“We all loved him so much, he was the funniest man I knew, he would always make me laugh and always was doing something funny or fun, never sat still no matter if it was work, home, or school, he made a name for himself and everyone will miss him so much.
“I seriously don’t know what to do without him, he was there when I needed and all the good times that I never thought about, I just wish I could’ve spent longer with him.”
Motorbike parts retailer Ridin’ Free were among others to remember Mr Von Paleske as an “incredible human”.
“Bikes and skills aside, Kyle was one of the most genuine people I’d ever had the pleasure to meet and spend time with. Truly a personality that will forever be missed. No matter what, you always stuck to your beliefs and stood up for your friends. You were kind, loving and a truly genuine soul.
“Miss you more than you would ever know, kiddo.”
One of Mr Von Paleske’s friends highlighted his adventurous spirit, sharing a clip of him doing a burnout in a ute and writing: “always sending anything you could get your hands on”.
Another said he was “the most passionate, caring and funny young man”.
“Rest easy Kyle. Gone way too soon,” one of his friends wrote alongside a photo of the forever 19-year-old helping tow a 4WD out of a muddy track at night.
Mr Von Paleske was “the definition of one of a kind,” a former colleague said.
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